Manchester United will reportedly sign two new midfielders in the summer, with four main candidates lined up.

The Red Devils currently have four first-team central midfielders among their ranks, but none of them is guaranteed to stay beyond the summer.

Club captain Bruno Fernandes caused a stir last week when an interview he gave while on international duty came to light. The Portuguese playmaker explicitly expressed his irritation with the management, who tried to cash in on his services on a couple of occasions.

Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are both seeing limited playing time under Ruben Amorim, as neither of them has managed to convince the manager. On the other hand, Casemiro’s contract will expire at the end of the season, and since he remains the club’s highest-paid player, INEOS could allow him to leave.

Therefore, signing one new midfielder could prove insufficient.

Man United aiming to buy two midfielders next summer

According to The Sun journalist Samuel Luckhurst, United are planning to sign two midfielders next summer, and all of their main targets currently ply their trade in the Premier League.

The source confirms MUFC’s keen interest in Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson, whom many believe is at the very top of Jason Wilcox’s shortlist.

The Red Devils are also chasing Anderson’s international teammate, Adam Wharton, who has established himself as one of the finest deep-lying players during his stay at Crystal Palace.

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Carlos Baleba remains an interesting profile for Man Utd. But while the Cameroonian was the club’s ultimate target last summer, his poor first half of the season with Brighton raised some red flags among MUFC directors.

Finally, Alex Scott is the newest name on the list, as he’s been enjoying a solid start to the campaign. His Bournemouth teammate, Tyler Adams, was also linked with Man Utd, but his chances of landing a move to Old Trafford took a massive hit after suffering what could be a serious injury last Monday in his outing against Amorim’s men.

Man Utd targeting Anderson, Wharton, Baleba & Scott

While the four aforementioned players are all young and exciting stars, they each boast a different skillset.

Percentile Elliot Anderson Adam Wharton Carlos Baleba Alex Scott Touches 94% 43% 18% 60% Shots attempts 65% 37% 54% 81% Goals 48% 0% 21% 53% Chances created 77% 91% 9% 9% Aerial duels won 76% 29% 69% 69% Defensive contribution 74% 51% 66% 76%

(Stats by FotMob)

Baleba is an old-fashioned midfield enforcer, while Wharton is a playmaker who’s excellent at advancing the play and picking up a teammate with vertical balls.

Anderson is a box-to-box midfielder who enjoys making timely runs to the box, while Scott could be a jack of all trades in the middle of the park, capable of playing either as a No.6 or a No.8.

Therefore, the casting will also depend on the identity of the players who will leave the club in the summer, as every departure could warrant a different replacement.

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