Manchester United will strengthen their midfield this summer.
It’s the worst kept secret in football. Having neglected a key area last year, we’re expected to see United go all out to bolster in the middle of the park. With Casemiro leaving and Manuel Ugarte expected to depart, there are set to be a number of new faces through the Carrington entrance this summer.
United’s midfield targets
And with a 6 the priority, we’ve picked out six 6s that United could target in the off-season.
Aurelien Tchouameni – Real Madrid
Real Madrid were happy to sanction Casemiro’s 2022 move to Manchester United having signed Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco that same summer. History may yet repeat itself.
Casemiro’s impending exit paves the way for Tchouameni to swap Madrid for Manchester, in theory anyway. Real Madrid will allow the Frenchman to leave provided they can bring in a replacement, with Rodri and Enzo Fernandez among those linked with a Bernabeu switch.
In truth, if United can lure Tchouameni to Old Trafford, then he’d be a perfect fit for Michael Carrick’s side. The France international is a ball-winning machine, evidenced by a haul of 2.1 tackles per 90. An 81.8% tackle success rate is also a fine return.
And with an average of one foul committed per 90, Tchouameni knows how to time his tackling to perfection. Additionally, when the 26-year-old does regain the ball, he knows exactly how best to retain possession.
A 91.4% pass accuracy from 64.9 passes per 90 is notable. It’s also better than any other United player. His defensive resolve would allow his midfield partner – in all likelihood Kobbie Mainoo – the chance to push on and support the offensive.
What’s more, a signing of Tchouameni’s calibre would be a huge signal of intent that would potentially convince talisman Bruno Fernandes to remain at Old Trafford. In short, Tchouameni should be United’s top midfield target this summer.
Adam Wharton – Crystal Palace
With Elliot Anderson expected to sign for Manchester City, United may turn their attention to another Premier League midfielder. Anderson’s exploits for Nottingham Forest have overshadowed Adam Wharton’s Crystal Palace form.
Injury issues have restricted Wharton to just 26 league starts this season. Yet when he’s featured for the Eagles, he’s very much caught the eye. Indeed, he’s averaging 2.5 tackles per 90 in England’s top tier this term.
That said, a 63.8% tackle success rate leaves a little to the imagination. This is particularly noteworthy in that Palace adopt a reactive gameplan. They see little of the ball and need their hard workers to rob opponents of possession.
Conversely, Wharton’s best qualities come to the fore when he is on the ball. A 79.1% pass accuracy from 42.8 passes per 90 may not read well, yet he’s hugely effective and turning defence into attack with his range of passing. 1.3 chances created per 90 is a case in point.
Furthermore, Wharton would tick a homegrown box for United, which would be key ahead of their expected European return. Perhaps not a 6 in the same sense as Tchouameni, there’s a very good reason why United have been credited with an interest in Wharton.
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Ederson – Atalanta
Casting the net to Italy, Ederson has previously been linked with a move to England. The Brazilian came close to a January switch to Atletico Madrid, a transfer that ultimately fell through.
Atletico would be expected to firm up their interest in Ederson this summer. That said, they’d face competition from Premier League suitors. Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on the Atalanta man. So, too, are United.
In United’s bid to bring in a 6, interest in Ederson shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, the 26-year-old is one of the best balling winning midfielders in Italy, as evidenced by an average of 2.4 tackles per 90. A 73.9% tackle success rate is also commendable.
An 89.2% pass accuracy from 55.1 passes per 90 warrants praise. Atalanta would be reluctant to lose one of their key assets and would demand a hefty fee for Ederson. He’d be worth the asking price, however.
Sandro Tonali – Newcastle
Back on deadline day, Arsenal were supposedly considering a speculative bid to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. Ultimately, the deal failed to come to fruition. Saying that, the Italian is expected to depart St. James’ Park this summer.
Arsenal would again be in for Tonali. As would a number of European heavyweights. Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid have all been keeping tabs on the former AC Milan man’s situation.
United have also tentatively been linked with a move for Tonali. The issue, though, is that the 25-year-old isn’t a number 6 by any stretch. Rather, Tonali is best-served with the license to push forward to operate as a link-up man between the midfield and attack.
Carrick already has a number 8 to call upon in Mainoo. That’s not to say United shouldn’t look to add bodies to the midfield. Should Mainoo succumb to injury, then they’d need a deputy in midfield.
However, with a bidding war for Tonali expected, United would be better served steering clear of the Italy international.
Carlos Baleba – Brighton
Manchester United’s 6 conundrum could have already been rectified. Once the attack and goalkeeper was sorted last summer, United pushed to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton.
The Seagulls, though, demanded upwards of £100m to cash in on the Cameroon international. The fee was too much for United having already spent big to sign Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.
And the rumours of an Old Trafford switch had a negative impact on Baleba. The 22-year-old’s form has dipped considerably this season, so much so that he’s been limited to a bit-part role since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.
There is still a player there, however. He didn’t become a poor midfielder overnight. 1.9 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per 90 are still commendable hauls for Baleba. Crucially, too, is that Brighton wouldn’t be able to command a nine-figure sum given his sub-par season.
A change of scenery would be beneficial for the player, who is still considered one of the best young ball winners in Europe. If United can negotiate a lower fee with Brighton, then it might be worth returning to the south coast in their quest to add to the midfield.
Alex Scott – Bournemouth
Alex Scott’s recent Bournemouth showings have certainly caught the eye. A key player in the Cherries’ unbeaten run that has thrust them back into European contention, Scott is now being linked with a high-profile summer switch.
United are believed to be keeping tabs on the 22-year-old, and for good reason. The youngster has come on leaps and bounds since swapping Bristol for Bournemouth in 2023.
Saying that, if the question is to find a number 6 for United, then Scott isn’t the answer. That’s not to say he doesn’t put in the hard yards off the ball, as evidenced by 1.9 tackles per 90.
However, like Tonali, Scott is better served in the number 8 role. He’d provide sufficient cover and competition for Mainoo in the other midfield position in Carrick’s favoured 4-2-3-1 setup.
He can play as a holding midfielder. However, his best role is as a box-to-box star. Having him operate as a 6 would be a waste of his talents.