Man Utd’s dream midfield: £185m trio to join Kobbie Mainoo | Football | Sport

Michael Carrick could have a formidable midfield at his disposal next season should Manchester United secure their primary targets. Bolstering the centre of the pitch remains a key priority ahead of Carrick’s first complete campaign at the helm. Casemiro will depart following the expiration of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte, who has endured a frustrating spell at Old Trafford, could also be shown the door.

A host of central midfielders have been linked with a move to United. A pursuit of Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni has been touted, while Elliot Anderson is greatly coveted, though the Nottingham Forest midfielder is reportedly leaning towards a switch to Manchester City. His asking price of at least £100million may also have prompted the club to cast their net elsewhere.

United are already on the verge of wrapping up their first acquisition of the summer in Atalanta midfielder Ederson for a fee in the region of £38m. Yet the midfield recruitment drive is unlikely to stop there.

United have been linked with Newcastle‘s Sandro Tonali and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. The former would represent the costlier option, approximately £87m, with the Italian tied to the Magpies until 2030.

Fernandes, whom United pursued last summer, is certainly obtainable following the Hammers’ drop to the Championship. The 21-year-old could be secured for approximately £60m, and considering his age, valuation and existing rapport with international team-mate Bruno, he appears to be an ideal target.

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Should Tonali and Fernandes follow Ederson through the entrance, alongside Kobbie Mainoo re-establishing himself and penning fresh terms, Carrick would possess a wealth of quality midfield choices.

Carrick has typically favoured a 4-2-3-1 system, with two deeper-sitting midfielders positioned behind Bruno Fernandes, meaning 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 Champions League return, squad depth will prove essential.

Any pairing from that quartet would be the envy of most clubs. Fernandes can additionally operate as No. 10 backup for namesake Bruno, potentially paving the way for Mason Mount to likewise exit alongside Ugarte following another injury-plagued campaign for the former England international.

It is shaping up to be a hectic summer for United, whose revival under Carrick during the second half of last season has bolstered their financial standing.

United recently published financial 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 having paid out £16.7m in compensation following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.

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United 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.”

That confidence in Carrick is expected to be reinforced with substantial investment in the transfer market, particularly in the pursuit of new midfield reinforcements.