Manchester United’s midfield is expected to bear a completely different look once the new season kicks off with plenty of changes expected.
Christian Eriksen, who started the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, is no longer the force he was earlier and his contract is up in the summer and the Red Devils have no plans of offering him a contract extension.
Casemiro is another who could make way despite his resurgence in form. While Ruben Amorim trusts the Brazilian, INEOS is keen to get rid of his humongous wages.
Kobbie Mainoo’s future is also up in the air with the club and Carrington graduate yet to agree a new contract extension with the likes of Chelsea, and Inter Milan circling even though the midfield ace would prefer a move abroad.
Midfield reinforcements
All this means the head coach will require more than one midfielder in the summer and Teamtalk have thrown two blockbuster names into the mix.
They have claimed that the Portuguese tactician is a huge fan of Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes while Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace has been a long-term target for the Red Devils.
The Brazilian has four goals and eight assists this season and he can operate both as a defensive midfielder and central midfielder.
The England international has excelled since coming back from injury, and plenty of clubs are looking at him including Real Madrid, which goes to show how difficult it will be to land him next summer.
“Manchester United are understood to have drawn up a dream two-man shopping list to reinforce their central midfield this summer, with both Bruno Guimaraes and Adam Wharton topping their wishlist
“And while Amorim’s admiration for Newcastle star Guimaraes has become apparent, it would require a significantly large investment and quite likely one beyond what they can afford.
Blockbuster double deal
“Sources though have confirmed to TEAMtalk that Wharton has been a key target for United for several months and he is another player highly appreciated by Amorim.
“However, just as in the case of Guimaraes, Man Utd will face stiff competition for Wharton as well – not to mention a sizeable transfer fee to boot.”
With the 20-time English league champions in desperate need of goals, rumours have swirled over potential deals for Victor Osimhen and Matheus Cunha in recent days.
It remains to be seen if the club can afford either one of the aforementioned midfield duo given the financial constraints INEOS are operating with. Winning the Europa League and selling multiple stars could potentially change that picture.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
