Manchester United are preparing to spend big this summer as Michael Carrick looks to reshape the midfield following Casemiro’s Old Trafford departure.
The Brazilian midfielder left at the end of his contract after a remarkable final season, scoring nine goals — a career high for a single campaign.
His exit leaves a significant void, with United needing to replace his contributions at both ends of the pitch across the coming months.
Carrick and his staff have already moved to address the situation, with Ederson from Atalanta expected to sign in the coming weeks, though the club are not stopping there.
Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a primary target, with fellow Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes reportedly giving the United hierarchy his personal vote of confidence in the player.
However, the 21-year-old West Ham midfielder carries an £80m asking price and faces strong interest from Premier League champions Arsenal, making the deal far from straightforward.
Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali has also entered United’s thinking, with Italian reports this weekend claiming the Toon have placed a £100m valuation on the midfielder to ward off potential suitors.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City are all reportedly prepared to meet that valuation, intensifying what could become one of the summer’s most competitive transfer battles.
United may receive a boost in their pursuit, with reports suggesting City are focused on Elliot Anderson while Arsenal are prioritising their move for Fernandes instead.
Newcastle reporter Joel Bland has celebrated Tonali as “one of the best midfielders in Europe,” and the 25-year-old has been delivering in the Champions League for several years now.
Statistically, Tonali and Fernandes track closely across several key metrics in the Premier League this season, including progressive actions, where Tonali recorded 4.46 per 90 minutes to Fernandes’ 4.35.
Tonali edged the defensive battle, winning more ground duels at 1.69 per 90 compared to Fernandes’ 1.59, while also completing more tackles and interceptions per game.
Fernandes impressed with 6.40 recoveries per 90 minutes versus Tonali’s 5.74, and also won more aerial duels at 0.57 compared to the Newcastle man’s 0.39.
Fernandes ranked first among U21 players in similar positions across Europe’s top seven leagues for possession won, defensive duels won and interceptions this season, a hugely impressive set of numbers.
Despite those remarkable figures, Tonali is considered the more complete and proven option at this stage, with United’s need for immediate quality making him an attractive proposition.
United have already secured a midfield duel winner in Ederson, but Tonali’s profile offers a different and more experienced dimension to Carrick’s rebuilding plans this summer.