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Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali are no longer viable options – so where can Manchester United turn now? Here’s a breakdown of the Red Devils’ current midfield choices following a rough start to the transfer window.

It has been an extraordinary week for Tottenham Hotspur. Despite finishing 17th in each of the last two Premier League campaigns, the North London club have signed two of England’s most sought-after midfielders, Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali. While Spurs may have paid heavily for the pair, their long-suffering supporters are ecstatic, particularly after witnessing their club break its transfer record twice in a matter of days – something former chairman Daniel Levy had been hesitant to do for years.

Meanwhile, Manchester United fans are dealing with mixed emotions. Having seen their club squander vast sums in past transfer markets, they’ve learned the value of financial caution. Yet, they now worry that manager Michael Carrick may not have the quality or depth required to compete across four competitions during the 2026-27 season.

After clinching a surprise third-place finish and returning to the Champions League, expectations were high that United would spend big this summer. However, no deal has been finalised yet. Ederson’s £35 million move from Atalanta remains pending due to his World Cup duties with Brazil. Although the transfer is seen as a formality, fans are growing uneasy after witnessing Elliot Anderson move to Manchester City, followed by Fernandes and Tonali joining Spurs.

So, what’s next for United? With midfielders commanding astronomical prices, finding an elite ball-winner or playmaker has become a major challenge. Carrick’s need for reinforcements has only intensified after Manuel Ugarte’s serious injury at the World Cup. Still, the Red Devils do have potential alternatives. Here, we rank seven midfielders who could yet bolster United’s options.

7. Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)

Ayyoub Bouaddi had already impressed for Lille before the World Cup, but his remarkably composed performance for Morocco in their opening match against Brazil caught global attention. At just 18, his maturity and confidence stood out.

Given United’s requirement for a midfielder who can both win and distribute the ball, Bouaddi immediately emerged as a target – though every major European club seems interested. It remains to be seen whether United would spend heavily on another midfielder after Ederson, but Bouaddi clearly looks like a generational talent.

6. Sander Berge (Fulham)

A cost-effective, unconventional choice. For years, Sander Berge was tipped for a move to one of England’s biggest clubs, but that never materialised. The Norwegian built his reputation at Sheffield United, then played for Burnley before joining Fulham in 2024.

Once again impressing at the World Cup, Berge has reignited interest from United, who might view the 28-year-old as a practical solution to their midfield problems. It’s a sensible option – Berge could offer something different to United’s current setup, and likely for a fair price.

5. Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund)

Felix Nmecha’s name has circulated frequently in recent weeks, and with good reason. The former Manchester City academy graduate has become a regular at Borussia Dortmund and has earned his place in Germany’s starting XI.

Physically strong and technically sharp, Nmecha was among Germany’s better performers at the 2026 World Cup – though that’s faint praise considering their early exit. His poor showing in the round-of-32 defeat to Paraguay has raised questions about his consistency. At 25, he could be a decent budget signing, but doubts over his true ceiling remain.

4. Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)

Tchouameni has long been United’s top target, and until recently, a deal seemed plausible. Reports of a dressing-room clash with Federico Valverde suggested he might seek an exit from Real Madrid. However, the arrival of Jose Mourinho has changed the scenario dramatically.

Mourinho is reportedly a strong admirer of the Frenchman, valuing him as the perfect anchor for his midfield next season. As a result, United’s prospects of landing Tchouameni now appear extremely slim.

3. Carlos Baleba (Brighton)

Carlos Baleba is highly rated by United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, who sees him as a future Premier League star. The club made efforts to sign him last summer but refused to meet Brighton’s £100 million valuation.

Surprisingly, despite an underwhelming 2025-26 season, Brighton remain firm on their asking price. Baleba, 22, would bring energy and dynamism to United’s midfield, but paying such an inflated fee for an unproven player would be difficult to justify.

2. Alex Scott (Bournemouth)

Alex Scott continues to grow in stature, having played a vital role in Bournemouth’s historic sixth-place Premier League finish and their first-ever qualification for European competition. Some pundits even felt he was unlucky to miss out on England’s World Cup squad in North America. With Andoni Iraola moving to Liverpool, the midfielder has also been linked with the Merseyside club.

United, though, are seriously considering a move for the 22-year-old, who contributed four goals and two assists from a deep midfield position last season. Bournemouth are open to selling him, but only for the right price – reportedly around £70 million. It’s a steep figure, and United must decide whether his potential justifies the cost.

1. Andrey Santos (Chelsea)

Recent reports suggest Andrey Santos has emerged as another United target, though fan reactions have been mixed. Once hailed as a future Brazilian star after breaking into Vasco da Gama’s senior team at 16 in 2021, Santos failed to make Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad – a worrying sign given Brazil’s midfield shortcomings.

Despite joining Chelsea in 2023, Santos only became a regular last season under Liam Rosenior. That limited experience makes it hard for United supporters to get too enthusiastic about the potential signing. Still, there’s talent to work with – former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca saw him as a promising deep-lying midfielder. Importantly, Chelsea are open to selling him, making Santos perhaps the most attainable option for United at this stage. For that reason, he appears the likeliest new arrival at Old Trafford in the coming weeks.