Man Utd begin the process of signing their own Elliot Anderson for just £20m

The last time Manchester United kicked off a Premier League football game, the Artemis II team still had their feet firmly planted on Earth.

And by the time the Red Devils kick off against Leeds United on Monday, the staff will have been to the moon and back.

If that sums up life as a Man United fan for the past 12 months, not much else will. But things are moving forward. Like Artemis, those at Old Trafford are also shooting for the stars under Michael Carrick, with Champions League qualification a week away.

So much so that they could be in a good summer transfer window.

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With Harry Maguire’s new contract allaying concerns about their backline, Man United can now turn their attention to replacing Casemiro this summer.

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The rejuvenated Brazilian is set to bow out at Old Trafford – representing just how far he has come since Jamie Carragher gave him some head-turning advice.

Suddenly, a player who looked so replaceable could be hard to replicate, but that won’t stop Man United from going well.

With that, INEOS has already been linked with moves for both Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson – two players who could be excellent additions.

The latter has been very impressive this season and will give Man United one of the best midfielders the Premier League has to offer. Alongside the more technical Kobbie Mainoo, Anderson will give the Red Devils the king of saving the ball they were looking for.

Alas, with Manchester City still sniffing, Man United would have no choice but to turn to the cheapest version of Anderson on the market and one that their rivals should be familiar with.

Man Utd are starting to work on a new midfielder

As reported by the Daily Mail, Man United are now working on a deal to sign Shea Charles from Southampton this summer.

Indeed, they say United are one of the teams that have sent scouts to watch the Northern Ireland midfielder. They have been joined by Everton and Scottish club Rangers in their bid to prize him away from the second team.

The former Man City graduate grabbed the headlines against Arsenal recently – scoring the winner to end the Gunners’ treble dream and secure Saints’ place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Now, after completing checks in person, those at Old Trafford could make a move for the £20m-rated midfielder in an attempt to sign Anderson.

It’s easy to see where Anderson’s comparison can be made, too. The Nottingham Forest star is one of the best in the Premier League – a trait that Como scout Ben Mattinson praised Charles for displaying during his time at Man City.

Meanwhile, Mattinson also said Charles “has the ability to handle senior football”, something Anderson has been doing at a high level for the past two years.

Statistically speaking, Charles hasn’t been a world away from Anderson’s level this season. If INEOS are looking to save the spread for one of the biggest deals of the summer, they are welcoming the Southampton man with open arms.

The signing of the 22-year-old will also benefit Man City, who have allowed their apprentice to leave without a sniff of the first team. Now, as they could spend big on Anderson, their rivals could sign their own type of jungle midfielder who has been held by Pep Guardiola.

Charles wasn’t going to steal the headlines like the others this summer. But, given time, he would prove any doubters wrong and make Old Trafford forget all about Anderson.

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