Ranking Manchester United’s Midfield Targets After Transfer Setbacks

Manchester United finds itself in a precarious position regarding midfield reinforcements following a week of transfer rejections and missed opportunities. Despite the club’s return to the Champions League through a surprising third-place finish, no new signings have been finalized yet, with Ederson’s £35 million move from Atalanta still pending completion as he represents Brazil at the World Cup.

While Manchester United supporters have grown accustomed to cautious spending after years of expensive transfer failures, there is growing concern about whether manager Michael Carrick will have a sufficiently strong midfield to compete across four competitions in the 2026-27 season. The urgency for reinforcements increased after midfielder Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious injury during the World Cup.

Potential Midfield Options Still Available

Despite the challenges, Manchester United still has several midfield candidates to consider. Below is a ranking of seven notable midfielders currently on the market who could bolster the squad.

7. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)
The 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder drew widespread attention with his composed performances for Lille and a standout display against Brazil at the World Cup opener. Bouaddi’s combination of ball-playing and ball-winning abilities makes him a generational talent. United has been linked with him, but competition from other top European clubs and the recent signing of Ederson may affect their willingness to invest heavily in the young Moroccan.

6. Sander Berge (Fulham)
Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge represents a more affordable and less conventional option. Having played for Sheffield United, Burnley, and now Fulham, Berge is showing quality at the World Cup, which has sparked speculation that United might consider him to address midfield needs. At 28, he would offer a different profile for a reasonable transfer fee.

5. Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund)
Felix Nmecha, a former Manchester City academy player, has become a regular at Borussia Dortmund and earned a spot in Germany’s national team. Despite his physical strength and technical skills, his performance in Germany’s round-of-32 loss to Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup raised questions about his consistency. He remains a potential low-cost option, but doubts about his true quality persist.

4. Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
Tchouameni has been identified as United’s primary target. Earlier reports suggested he wanted to leave Real Madrid after a dressing-room altercation with Federico Valverde. However, the arrival of Jose Mourinho, who reportedly favors Tchouameni as a midfield anchor, has diminished United’s chances of securing the 25-year-old Frenchman.

3. Carlos Baleba (Brighton)
United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, views Carlos Baleba as a potential top Premier League midfielder. The club attempted to sign the Cameroon international last summer but balked at Brighton’s £100 million valuation. Despite Baleba’s underwhelming 2025-26 season, Brighton has not lowered their price, making the transfer financially challenging for United.

2. Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
Alex Scott played a key role in Bournemouth’s historic qualification for European competition, finishing sixth in the Premier League. Some analysts argued he was unlucky to miss England’s World Cup squad. United has shown interest in the 22-year-old, who scored four goals and assisted twice last season from a deep midfield position. Bournemouth reportedly wants at least £70 million for Scott, presenting a difficult decision for United regarding his value.

1. Andrey Santos (Chelsea)
Andrey Santos has recently appeared on United’s radar, eliciting mixed reactions among fans. The Brazilian midfielder was once considered a future star after debuting for Vasco da Gama at 16 but did not make Chelsea’s World Cup squad. Santos only began receiving significant playing time last season under Liam Rosenior. Former Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca believes Santos could excel in a deep midfield role. Chelsea is open to selling him, making Santos the most attainable target for Manchester United in the near future.