Man Utd are exploring a club record deal to sign bigger stars than Anderson & Tonali
It’s no secret that Manchester United’s priority is expected to be to add at least one new midfielder this summer, with Casemiro’s impending departure increasing the need for reinforcements ahead of next season.
The Red Devils currently only have Manuel Ugarte as a true senior midfielder in reserve, although the difference in quality is glaring when the Uruguayan is on the pitch, with three of their six Premier League defeats this season coming when the 24-year-old started.
Ugarte has impressively started five league games in a row in December and January, a run that saw United win just once, further proof of why significant improvement is needed in that department.
That ongoing search is likely to see the INEOS regime again looking at Premier League-proven options, amid the success of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this season, with the Old Trafford club making a number of statement signings.
Man Utd are checking the player’s record in the Premier League
As mentioned, it’s no secret that United are pursuing a midfield signing this summer, and it’s also no secret who INEOS are involved with, with reports on Monday suggesting that talks have been held over a move for Newcastle United’s £100m man, Sandro Tonali.
The Italian has long been a fan of Manchester by all accounts, as has former Newcastle star Elliot Anderson, following reports that he is United’s leading up-and-coming England international.
Also of concern in the midfield search is the future of captain Bruno Fernandes, with any exits likely to necessitate the arrival of a new playmaker, as well as the likes of Tonali and/or Anderson in a deeper role.
|
Anderson vs Tonali – 25/26 PL statistics |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Anderson |
Statistics (*per game) |
Tonali |
|
31 |
Games |
29 |
|
2 |
Goals |
0 |
|
2 |
It helps |
2 |
|
86% |
Pass rate* |
85% |
|
1.5 |
Key passes* |
0.9 |
|
6 |
Great opportunities have been created |
5 |
|
2.9 |
fight* |
1.0 |
|
1.1 |
meeting* |
0.9 |
|
55% |
Total winnings* |
54% |
|
18.0 |
Item lost* |
11.0 |
With that in mind, TEAMtalk have shared the latest on Fernandes’ top ten replacement, amid speculation that INEOS are exploring a deal for Chelsea talisman, Cole Palmer.
The report suggests that mediators are checking interest from top clubs ahead of the Three Lions star’s exit from Stamford Bridge, with Palmer’s move to United putting the Old Trafford club in a good position to strike.
The main obstacle, understandably, is likely to be financial, with the piece stating that it would take £100m or even £150m for the Blues to approve a sale, thus surpassing United’s current club record purchase of Paul Pogba in a £89m deal.
Why United may be chasing bigger talent than Anderson and Tonali
There is no denying that the arrival of Anderson or Tonali would represent a major coup for the INEOS regime, which could be Thomas Tuchel’s central figure at this summer’s World Cup, and the latter could attract Italy, provided the 2006 winners can emerge victorious in Tuesday’s play-off final against Bosnia.
Better than Tonali: Man Utd make £100m “hero” their first target
Manchester United are already circling their dream of replacing Casemiro in midfield.
Both have endured difficult Premier League campaigns, however, with Anderson part of a Nottingham Forest side that continues to be relegated, while Tonali has failed to score a single league goal in what has been a highlight for the Magpies under Eddie Howe’s watch.
It has to be said that Palmer hasn’t been at his best, although it’s hard to ignore how the 23-year-old feels, having conceded nine league goals during an injury-plagued campaign in west London.
Since arriving from Manchester City in 2023, the boyhood United fan has registered 85 goals and assists in just 122 games, a ridiculous record considering he had made 41 first-team appearances at the Etihad before that.
In comparison, at the same time, the aforementioned Fernandes has a remarkably similar record, having registered 91 goal involvements in 135 games in all competitions, since the start of 2023/24.
That highlights the level at which Palmer has performed at Chelsea so far, as his previous form has seen the left-footed striker rated as “the best player in the Premier League” by Jamie Carragher of Sky Sports in the past.
That position may now belong to Fernandes, but if he is fit and firing again, Palmer could represent a candidate to replace the Portuguese genius in Manchester, while boasting the flexibility to feature on the right again when needed.
Such merit in Fernandes’ position can also be seen in the way that the Englishman is second only to the United man in terms of chances created in the Premier League season, and in terms of ‘big’ chances created, only Mo Salah (27) has bettered Palmer’s tally of 24.
He is the cream of the crop when it comes to top-flight players, having also led Chelsea to Club World Cup glory last summer, and there is a no-nonsense brilliance in the way he works between the lines.
After what he has achieved at the Bridge, it’s easy to see why he would represent a more exciting marquee capture than Tonali and Anderson, not least considering his potential £150m price tag, with the kind of signing that could prove a real game-changer for United.
Man Utd open talks to secure their best signing since Bruno in £100m deal
Manchester United are on the hunt for midfielders this summer and could spend a lot of time.
