Whitwell reveals Man Utd plan to sign £140 million midfield duo.
Manchester United are ready to allocate major funds for their midfield revamp in the upcoming summer transfer market.
Whether Michael Carrick is confirmed as permanent head coach or a successor takes over, the club will renovate the middle of the park.
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Carrick has been operating with limited options in the double pivot, especially after moving Bruno Fernandes back to his original role as an attacking midfielder. The 44-year-old has identified Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo as his ultimate options for the role, as Manuel Ugarte hasn’t inspired confidence since joining the club in 2024.
Man Utd ready to splash £70m apiece on two new midfielders
With Casemiro’s departure at the end of the season being confirmed by the club, Man Utd are expected to sign at least two new midfielders in the summer. If they can find a new home for Ugarte, a third signing might be required.
Therefore, it has been suggested recently that INEOS will aim to splash big money on one new arrival and shore up the department by recruiting one or two affordable profiles.
Nonetheless, The Athletic journalist Laurie Whitwell feels this won’t necessarily be the case, believing that United could make two major midfield coups, with each costing £70 million or more.
“The finances are, as always, tight. The actual cash levels. They will have more flexibility with Champions League, but they can’t write a blank check,” said the Man Utd insider during his appearance on the Talk of the Devils podcast
“I think there’s scope for a couple of solid midfielders, a couple of £70M midfielders, something like that.”
Who are the main Man United midfield targets
During the episode, Whitwell, Andy Mitten, and Carl Anka discussed the midfielders who could join Man Utd in the summer. Naturally, the usual suspects were all brought up.
Elliot Anderson remains high on the shortlist, but Mitten confirms that the Nottingham Forest star is more likely to join Manchester City at this point.
As for the Newcastle duo, the journalist rules out the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes, insisting that Man Utd never enquired about the Brazilian, unlike Sandro Tonali, who could emerge as a serious target.
The same goes for Adam Wharton, who has been one of the most popular names among Man Utd directors. The 22-year-old is said to be keen on leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season, and his priority is to join a Champions League club, making Man Utd an early favourite thanks to their current spot in the Top Three.
