Elliot Anderson is a target for Manchester United (Image: Getty)
A major transformation is expected at Manchester United this summer, with a verdict due on Michael Carrick’s future in the dugout. And having overseen a remarkable revival under Carrick, attention now shifts to what business might be conducted in the transfer window. It is already confirmed that Casemiro will be among those heading for the exit door when his deal expires at the end of June.
Yet considerable uncertainty remains over whether club captain Bruno Fernandes will stay on following a Player of the Season-calibre campaign. Marcus Rashford’s destiny and whether he secures a permanent move to Barcelona at the conclusion of his loan spell will also prove a key discussion point in the weeks ahead. Here, Express Sport examines what further developments could unfold in an ideal scenario at Old Trafford…
Rashford replacement
It would appear to suit all concerned if Rashford does finally sever ties with his boyhood club this summer, as difficult as that may be to accept. Nevertheless, Carrick has hinted that his former team-mate could yet have a future at Old Trafford should he get his wish.
Barcelona are still understood to hold an exclusive £26million purchase option on the player, who has experienced a revival at the Nou Camp. And while United already have Matheus Cunha performing impressively, predominantly from the left wing, another alternative perhaps wouldn’t go amiss should Rashford leave.
For the sake of preserving equilibrium and guaranteeing a player like Cunha doesn’t become dissatisfied, it’s logical to recruit someone who’d be more satisfied in a rotation capacity. In that regard, a talent like RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande could be suitable to vie for a position in attack.
The Ivorian has been in Germany for under a year after Leipzig activated his £16m release clause. Nevertheless, it’s an indication of just how outstanding he’s appeared in the Bundesliga that his valuation is now thought to stand nearer to the £60m bracket.
Express Sport understands United are monitoring the left winger, though he is also being tracked by Paris Saint-Germain and other Premier League clubs could make an approach. It may prove challenging to extract the left winger from Leipzig given he has a contract until 2030.
That said, United should be able to smooth the process if they demonstrate they’re prepared to at least meet the 19-year-old’s reported valuation.
Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd career is all but over (Image: Getty)
Anderson rejects Man City
One priority concerns the requirement for reinforcements in central midfield. Reports this week have linked United with a potential move for Real Madrid powerhouse Aurelien Tchouameni, though any deal would hinge on Rodri departing bitter rivals Manchester City for the Bernabeu.
Reports emerging from Spain suggest Real could be willing to offload World Cup winner Tchouameni, who would undoubtedly prove a superb addition to United’s squad next season should a transfer be concluded. Nevertheless, in an ideal scenario, it could well be an entirely different midfielder who touches down at Old Trafford this summer.
To that end, pipping Manchester City to the signature of Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson would represent a coup of the highest order.
All indications at present suggest Anderson appears destined for City this summer. The player is understood to favour a switch to the Etihad over Old Trafford, even despite the remarkable revival Carrick has successfully engineered thus far.
In an ideal world, however, United would secure the player first and refuse to let go — even if his reported price tag of £100m or more would account for a considerable chunk of the total funds available this summer.
The likes of Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee could be heading for the exit door this summer, either of whom could generate substantial funds to help finance a couple of new signings. Landing a player of Anderson’s calibre could prove an enormous asset in any transfer window.
Yet the fact Pep Guardiola‘s side are apparently such admirers is simply an added incentive.
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£44m Stiller signs
With reports suggesting United are making two new midfielders their primary target this summer, Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller appears to be an astute lower-profile acquisition. Stiller operates deeper in midfield and would plug the gap left by Casemiro.
That would grant the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Fernandes the freedom to push further forward without the concern of leaving Carrick’s side vulnerable. The Bayern Munich academy product featured in the Stuttgart side that ran to the DFC-Pokal title last season and is currently on track to help the club secure a place in next term’s Champions League.
As it stands, 25-year-old Stiller is understood to have a release clause worth just £32.6m. However, this will rise to £43.5m once Stuttgart pay a modest fee of around £2m, which appears inevitable at this stage.
Stiller has contributed five assists in the Bundesliga this season, averaging 69.1 passes per game — one of the highest averages for a player who doesn’t feature in defence.
Casemiro’s departure could prove to be United’s sole significant loss this summer, though many supporters would be saddened to see Rashford’s tenure at the club conclude in such unfortunate circumstances.
Regarding new signings, the midfield pairing of Elliot Anderson and Angelo Stiller would bring quality and depth, while Diomande is displaying all the hallmarks of a future superstar.
Man Utd‘s dream 2026/27 squad in full: Lammens, Bayindir, Onana; Maguire, De Ligt, Martinez, Shaw, Dalot, Yoro, Mazraoui, Heaven, Dorgu; Fernandes, Anderson, Mount, Mainoo, Stiller, Thwaites; Lacey, Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko, Diomande, Amad, Obi.