Man Utd's 4-man transfer shortlist rated after Alexis Mac Allister interest

Manchester United is weighing up a summer move for Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister as part of an ambitious midfield overhaul, with three other Premier League talents also on the club's radar

Alexis Mac Allister is being linked with Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)

It's believed that Manchester United is considering a surprising move for Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister.

However, the club is also said to have its eyes on three other midfield targets. United's midfield has been the subject of transfer rumors for quite some time. With Casemiro set to leave at the end of this season, it appears inevitable that the Red Devils will bring in one or two new faces in the center of the park.

As reported on Monday, United could attempt to lure Mac Allister away from rivals Liverpool. The Argentine would be deemed untouchable by some, but he has struggled to match the performances of previous seasons this term and will soon turn 28 on a contract that runs until 2028.

Nevertheless, Mac Allister is far from the only name United have been associated with. Liverpool.com assesses four players who have been most strongly linked with a transfer to Old Trafford in the summer.

Alexis Mac Allister

Mac Allister joined the Reds in 2023 and last season was undoubtedly his best in a Liverpool shirt. He was a key figure in Arne Slot's Premier League-winning squad and earned PFA Team of the Year recognition.

But this campaign has told a different story. Liverpool has found it challenging to defend its title, and Mac Allister's role has changed. With the arrival of Florian Wirtz, Mac Allister has been relegated to more of a facilitator role, and his form has slightly dipped.

However, if United were to secure him, it would be a significant coup. Mac Allister fits perfectly into United's current setup, serving as a deep-lying playmaker who excels at delivering line-breaking passes to wide players. The catch is that any player joining in the summer may not be under the guidance of current interim boss Michael Carrick.

United is considering making a bid for him, and at 27, he might not be too costly. But persuading Liverpool to let go of a key player to a Premier League rival, especially a bitter one, seems an insurmountable task, regardless of how well-suited Mac Allister would be.

Elliot Anderson

Since departing Newcastle for Nottingham Forest, Elliot Anderson has become one of the Premier League's most coveted midfielders. Now a semi-regular starter for England and just 23, he has many years at the top ahead of him.

The same report suggests Anderson is on United's radar, and he would bring something quite different to the table than Mac Allister. Anderson's strength lies in retaining possession. He tops the Premier League charts for total touches and ball recoveries this season, qualities United will require once Casemiro moves on. Add to that his versatility as a dependable box-to-box midfielder operating from a deeper No. 6 position.

Beyond all this, he qualifies as a homegrown player. Satisfying UEFA's requirements, should United secure European qualification, is crucial, and Anderson would contribute toward this. But his estimated transfer valuation of $130 million or more could present a significant obstacle.

Adam Wharton

Another homegrown midfielder on United's radar is Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton. Similar to Anderson, some impressive displays have earned him recognition in the England set-up.

United has been associated with the 22-year-old for some time, and the reasoning is clear. He would offer the ideal equilibrium in midfield following Casemiro's departure, with his excellent defensive awareness and league-leading interception statistics.

Adam Wharton is one of the Premier League's best young midfielders(Image: Getty Images)

Wharton can also orchestrate play from a deeper role with impressive passing accuracy and a willingness to attempt ambitious line-breaking balls. His positioning at the base of United's midfield would additionally permit Kobbie Mainoo to continue flourishing in more advanced areas.

The sole potential concern with Wharton might be his physical stature, as he doesn't possess the imposing frame of someone like Casemiro. However, he is adaptable, meets homegrown criteria, and represents one of the Premier League's outstanding young prospects who would certainly fit the current United approach. But, like Anderson, he won't come cheap. Some reports suggest Palace will demand more than $100 million for Wharton.

Carlos Baleba

Brighton's Carlos Baleba was on United's radar last summer, but a transfer didn't come to fruition. Despite not having the best of seasons, he remains firmly in United's sights. Unlike both Anderson and Wharton, Baleba is a much more formidable midfielder, and it could be argued that his inclination to carry the ball rather than pass short doesn't quite fit with United's current style of play.

However, Baleba would likely afford Mainoo the most freedom of any potential midfield partner, even if his tendency to lose possession or wander contradicts Carrick's preference for his holding player to maintain formation.

Following a season that was subpar by his standards, perhaps a bargain deal could be struck for Baleba, who, despite seeming like a tactical mismatch on paper, would undoubtedly be a savvy signing. Recent reports suggest £60 million ($81.5 million) might be sufficient to secure his services.