Manchester United will be looking to make at least one midfielder signing in the summer transfer window, with the club targeting two signings in the middle of the park if they have the perfect summer.
Casemiro will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season and Manuel Ugarte could also depart, with United open to offers for the Uruguayan midfielder.
Much will depend on who the new manager will be come the summer, with current interim boss Michael Carrick the favourite to take the job permanently, although the likes of Oliver Glasner and Julian Nagelsmann remain in the frame.
Manchester United Want Elliot Anderson Above All Others
A number of midfielders have long been on United’s shortlist for a summer move, with Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes all potential candidates.
But that list appears to have got smaller in the last few days, with two names seemingly dropping out of United’s thought process.
Anderson remains the top target, although United will go head-to-head with Manchester City for the signing of the highly-rated Nottingham Forest man, with both city sides set for a summer wrangle over a £100million-plus deal.
But if they cannot get their hands on Anderson, only two of the other long-term targets remain on their list, after deciding against signing Wharton or Tonali this summer.
GIVEMESPORT’s senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs told the United Stand: “It’s not that Tonali is unlikely, it’s that he’s unlikely if Manchester United can get Elliot Anderson and what makes it harder for Tonali is he’s a little bit older than Elliot Anderson and is viewed as less value for money.
“The valuation of Tonali is £100milion or more and when you add agent fees and wages which are both expected to be higher than Elliot Anderson, the overall cost is more expensive.
“With Adam Wharton the club view him as too similar in profile to Kobbie Mainoo.”
What United Must Ensure To Complete Anderson Deal
If United are not able to get a deal for Anderson over the line, that would seemingly leave Baleba and Guimaraes as the potential candidates for a move to replace Casemiro in the middle of the park.
Speaking on Anderson, Jacobs said: “It’s very likely he moves to the blue or red half of Manchester. Elliot Anderson is Manchester United’s top target. City want to add somebody, so do Man United, that they feel can push them forwards.”
United are on course to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season, sitting third in the Premier League table, seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea. And offering Champions League football, like City can do, will only help the Red Devils when it comes to the negotiating table.
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Marcus Rashford is facing an uncertain future as there are doubts over whether the England international will make a permanent switch to Barcelona this summer.
The Manchester United forward joined the Blaugrana last summer on a season-long loan, impressing with 14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions.
The 28-year-old helped Barcelona on the way to becoming La Liga title winners, filling in on either wing in the absence of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
While a permanent move for Rashford appeared possible, that has since become complicated with other transfer activity, which is now creating doubt over his future at the Nou Camp.
With that in mind, Barcelona have seemingly made their final decision on signing the forward permanently.
That doesn’t stop the possibility of negotiating better terms, or perhaps even another loan deal, but it appears as though that ship may well have sailed.
According to local outlet RAC 1, Rashford isn’t in Barcelona’s plans and any possibility of a return will only happen if the club fail to land other targets in the transfer market.
With the strength of Raphinha and Yamal also in the frontline, it means there may not be room for Rashford, who may have to go back to the drawing board.
It’s a blow for the England international, who seemed to enjoy his time in Spain, as well as a conundrum for Manchester United to consider in the market.
Where Could Marcus Rashford Go Next?
There’s a new challenge for Rashford to consider this summer when it comes to his options, following an impressive showing in La Liga over the past campaign.
The winger will have to think once again about his next steps, which could include a return to Manchester United to impress under new permanent boss Michael Carrick.
Having shown plenty of quality before, and playing under a manager who will know how to get the best out of him, it’s an option that could be attractive.
The difficulty comes in the size of his deal, and whether both parties would be willing to re-open a chapter that appeared to be closed 18 months ago.
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In terms of other clubs, there will no doubt be some interest in the Premier League if he wishes to stay in England, with a return to Aston Villa potentially on the cards, while any of the big clubs will at least take a cursory glance at a move.
Elsewhere in Europe there may be challenges, especially when it comes to financial power, as sides in Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga could find it tough to put together a competitive package.
That said, the allure of a move to somewhere new could help reduce the figures involved, but it will all be determined by what Rashford wants to do next.
