It will be a neat coincidence if Manchester United’s first signing since Michael Carrick was confirmed as permanent head coach turns out to be a central midfielder.
There are few clues coming out of Old Trafford about the club’s efforts to sign Ederson from Atalanta, but the Brazilian’s £35m transfer is anticipated to be completed soon. That would take United’s spending on central midfield players alone to almost £580m since Carrick himself joined from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006, with more likely to follow.
United have made strengthening their midfield a priority this summer. Brazil international Casemiro, 34, has left the club as his contract expires on 30 June. Manuel Ugarte, a £42.5m signing from Paris St-Germain in August 2024, was an unused substitute in the final-day win at Brighton and has not played a minute since starting the home defeat by Leeds on 13 April. There are major doubts over whether the Uruguay international will remain at the club next season.
Kobbie Mainoo is the only other experienced central midfielder in Carrick’s squad. Nineteen-year-old twins Jack and Tyler Fletcher made their debuts this season, while 18-year-old Jacob Devaney excelled on loan at Scottish Premiership side St Mirren in the second half of the campaign. All three academy graduates are well regarded and likely to feature in pre-season, which begins against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July — but realistically none are expected to hold a regular starting role in the Premier League and Champions League next term.
England’s Elliot Anderson is regarded as United’s first choice in midfield, though his most likely destination is said to be Manchester City. United are reluctant to meet the salary demands of the 23-year-old and have indicated an unwillingness to pay a fee in the region of £120m that Nottingham Forest are reportedly seeking.
Among the alternatives being considered: Portugal international Mateus Fernandes is regarded as one of West Ham’s most saleable assets following their relegation to the Championship. United made enquiries about Brighton’s Carlos Baleba last summer but backed off when a fee in excess of £100m was mentioned; the 22-year-old’s form dipped this season, which could bring that valuation down, though Brighton owner Tony Bloom is known for hardline negotiations.
Bournemouth pair Alex Scott and Tyler Adams have also been mentioned. Scott in particular enjoyed a strong season under Andoni Iraola and may be seeking a move to a larger club after missing out on World Cup selection.
Meanwhile, speculation around Real Madrid midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde has been complicated by a reported training ground dispute between the pair, with the impending return of Jose Mourinho to the Bernabeu adding further uncertainty to their futures.
Source: Man Utd’s Midfield Rebuild Under Carrick: Ederson and the Targets Beyond