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Manchester United’s plans for strengthening their midfield ahead of the new season remain uncertain, leaving manager Michael Carrick waiting to see who will form the core of his engine room.

With Casemiro departing and Manuel Ugarte sidelined due to a long-term injury, the Red Devils are in urgent need of at least two—possibly three—quality additions in midfield.

Ederson has already joined the squad, but attention has now turned to identifying who will accompany the Brazilian international into Old Trafford.

Ideally, the club would have secured the services of Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes. However, both midfielders have completed moves to rival sides, forcing United to shift focus and explore new targets.

One name generating significant buzz is AS Roma’s dynamic box-to-box midfielder Neil El Aynaoui. According to Teamtalk, it would not come as a surprise to Manchester United supporters if the club pursued the Moroccan “workhorse.”

The UK outlet reports that the 25-year-old’s performances at the World Cup have caught widespread attention, with “a host of Premier League clubs now closely monitoring the Morocco international following a series of outstanding displays.”

Partnering Ayyoub Bouaddi at the heart of Morocco’s midfield, El Aynaoui has impressed by outperforming some of the game’s top midfielders, including Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Ryan Gravenberch, and Frenkie de Jong. His ability to control tempo, maintain defensive discipline, stay composed under pressure, and showcase elite athleticism has earned him plaudits across the football world.

The Serie A midfielder is enjoying an exceptional summer, and his rise in stature has prompted “a number of clubs across Europe to make contact regarding El Aynaoui’s situation, believing they can offer him a much greater first-team opportunity than he currently has at the Stadio Olimpico.”

With interest mounting, the Premier League is quickly emerging as the most likely destination for the Moroccan star. Reports suggest “intermediaries have spoken with Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton, Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Sunderland about the midfielder’s availability.”

Teamtalk further notes that El Aynaoui’s representatives are eager for him to secure a significant move away from Roma, where his playing time has been limited since joining from Lens last season.

Given Manchester United’s urgent need to reinforce their midfield, Ineos has every reason to push ahead in the race to sign El Aynaoui. Crucially, the Moroccan is expected to be available for a far more reasonable fee compared to the high valuation West Ham placed on Fernandes.

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