Michael Carrick will boast a tantalising midfield next season if Manchester United can secure their primary targets. Bolstering the centre of the park is a key objective ahead of Carrick’s first full campaign at the helm.
Casemiro has departed after his contract expired. Manuel Ugarte, who has endured a frustrating spell at Old Trafford, could also be shown the door. Multiple central midfielders have been linked with United.
The targets
A potential swoop for Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni has been suggested. Elliot Anderson is highly rated, although the Nottingham Forest midfielder is said to be leaning towards a switch to Manchester City. His valuation of at least £100m prompted the club to explore alternative options.
United are already on the cusp of wrapping up their first summer acquisition, Atalanta midfielder Ederson for a fee in the region of £38m. But the midfield recruitment drive won’t stop there.
Tonali and Fernandes in the frame
United have been linked with Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. Tonali would represent the pricier alternative, around £87m with four years left on his contract.
Fernandes, who United pursued last summer, is certainly obtainable following the Hammers’ drop into the Championship. The 21 year old could be secured for around £60m. Given his age and existing connection with international teammate Bruno Fernandes, he appears an ideal candidate.
The dream quartet
Should Tonali and Fernandes arrive alongside Ederson, in addition to Kobbie Mainoo cementing his place and penning a fresh contract, Carrick would possess a wealth of quality midfield options.
Total potential outlay: Approximately £185m.
The tactical puzzle
Carrick has typically favoured a 4-2-3-1 system, deploying two midfielders behind Bruno Fernandes. That means he would be unable to squeeze Ederson, Mainoo, Tonali and Fernandes into the same starting XI.
Nevertheless, given the rigours of the Premier League and the return to Champions League football, squad depth will be essential. Any pairing from that quartet would be the envy of most clubs.
Fernandes can also provide No.10 cover for his namesake Bruno owing to his adaptability potentially paving the way for Mason Mount to exit alongside Ugarte after another injury plagued season.
The financial picture
United’s revival under Carrick during the second half of last season has bolstered their financial standing. The club recently published results for the nine months to March 31, revealing an operating profit of £37.7m, compared with a £3.2m loss the year prior. This is despite shelling out £16.7m in compensation following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
Chief executive Omar Berrada said: “We feel very positive about the club’s progress this season and the continuing positive impact of our business transformation initiatives.
“Finishing third in the Premier League and securing qualification to next season’s UEFA Champions League is testament to our men’s team’s improved form on the pitch. Michael Carrick has done an excellent job in the 17 games he has overseen and we are delighted that he will continue as head coach.”
The bottom line
Ederson is all but done. Tonali would cost £87m. Fernandes would cost £60m.
That’s a £185m midfield rebuild. And Carrick is just getting started.
The Casemiro era is over. The Ugarte experiment looks finished. The new generation is coming.
Bruno Fernandes will have new partners. Mainoo will have competition. United will have depth they haven’t seen in years.
The dream is there. Now Carrick needs to make it happen.
