At a Glance
- Manchester United want a new midfielder
- Sandro Tonali is of interest
- Reds might pivot to another Premier League star
Manchester United are on the lookout for potential options in case they struggle to sign Sandro Tonali this summer. A new defensive midfielder will have some huge shoes to fill as the Red Devils plan a huge summer.
With Casemiro’s contract ending in June, the Reds have begun to search for replacements across Europe and the Premier League. The world-class Brazilian is leaving on a high, guiding the club towards a third-placed finish and a Champions League berth.
Qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition puts the club in a better position to attract talent. One of the names on the wishlist is Tonali of Newcastle United.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba is also of interest, as is Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, among others. However, João Gomes is a cheap alternative if a move for either of those big-money targets doesn’t work out.
Is João Gomes the right choice?
Matheus Cunha made the move up North last season when he joined Manchester United from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5m. Next on the radar is Gomes, whom the Red Devils have reportedly been monitoring over the past weeks, per TEAMtalk.
Wolves have had a small glimmer of hope under manager Rob Edwards. In the new regime, the standout player has been none other than Gomes, who has helped the rock-bottom side salvage a decent share of points in this forgettable season.
The 25-year-old has made 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing two assists. But apart from this, the young Brazilian brings defensive aggression and ball-winning ability, which is key for the defensive midfielder role.
Gomes’ Premier League experience helps build transition play from both defensive and offensive halves. But his biggest challenge would be to find the back of the net more often, as Casemiro has scored 7 league goals this season, which is above expectations for a player in this role.
With Manchester United aiming for Champions League football next season, Tonali is one of the favourites on INEOS’ midfield shortlist. He brings European experience to the club with a built-in box-to-box engine, at £100 million.
However, as Wolves head towards relegation, their asking price for Gomes is £44 million for now. This price could even drop further at the end of the season, making him a more attainable option for the Red Devils.
Manchester United’s Future
The Red half of Manchester has been shining bright under interim manager Michael Carrick. However, whether he remains in charge beyond June has yet to be decided. This could be a defining factor for next season.
The results and the Old Trafford faithful favour the ex-player to take up the full-time role, but the ultimate decision remains with the board.
United expect a revamp with several players nearing the exit. Joshua Zirkzee looks set to leave due to less game time. Harry Maguire’s contract ends this summer, although he’s reportedly in talks over an extension.
Moreover, the club is willing to cash in on the goalkeeping duo of Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir. Tom Heaton and Dermot Mee may also be let go.
Finally, Manchester United should also be willing to spend on quality players, as next season could be highly competitive. This period of redemption should, however, lay the foundation for the future and potentially become a genuine title contender.
