Manchester United's five Elliot Anderson transfer alternatives after £65m blow

Manchester United's plans for the summer transfer window were thrown into doubt on Tuesday as Manchester City looked to confirm their Bernardo Silva succession

Nothing moves smoothly for Manchester United even when there is reason to be overwhelmingly positive about the club's situation. The Reds sit third in the Premier League and discovered on Tuesday night the top five teams will qualify automatically for the Champions League next season.

United are now in pole position to make it to Europe's top competition with Michael Carrick overseeing a tremendous turnaround at Old Trafford. Whether they qualify for the Champions League or not, the Reds need to overhaul their midfield in the summer transfer window. Casemiro will be leaving at the end of the season and Manuel Ugarte is attracting interest too.

Top of United's list to strengthen their midfield was Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson. However, it is understood local rivals Manchester City are confident they will sign the England international. Pep Guardiola will need to replace Bernardo Silva at the end of the season and it appears his plan could scupper United's.

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While no deal is truly done until the player is holding their new shirt for the cameras, the Reds need to be making alternative plans in case Anderson is off limits. MEN Sport has taken a look at five alternative options United could approach instead.

Carlos Baleba - Brighton and Hove Albion

United approached Brighton last summer to enquire about Baleba and discovered the Seagulls wanted £100m for the midfielder. This price was set after a brilliant season from the Cameroon international. The Reds were happy to wait and declined the chance of making an offer.

In hindsight, that was the right move. Baleba has struggled this season and it has been suggested the United links turned his head.

Were he to rediscover his form of 2024/25, United would gain a brilliant Casemiro replacement. However, they would want a heavy discount from their previous quote.

Sandro Tonali - Newcastle United

Newcastle are hurtling towards a campaign with no European football. Eddie Howe's side have struggled this season and United could capitalise.

Tonali is likely to be restless if Newcastle spend a season outside the Champions League. The midfielder has the ability to fill a similar role to Anderson were he to move to Old Trafford.

He is playing deeper for Newcastle at the moment but, should the Reds sign a defensive midfielder, they could unleash him in a more progressive role. Valued at approximately £80m, Tonali could be worth every penny.

Mateus Fernandes - West Ham United

A new name to consider this summer could be Fernandes. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a good season in east London despite West Ham struggling at the bottom.

Should the Irons drop into the Championship, there is little chance he will stay. Fernandes is well-rounded, like Anderson, and will look to pick out forward and progressive passes.

The combination of Fernandes' age and relatively low price tag could tempt Ineos.

Adam Wharton - Crystal Palace

The turmoil may have settled at Crystal Palace but Wharton's future is surely away from Selhurst Park. The 22-year-old is in and around Thomas Tuchel's England squad and knows playing in the Champions League regularly will only strengthen his case for call-ups.

Palace will be bracing themselves for an exodus this summer and Wharton will command a big fee. But, the former Blackburn man is comfortable playing in defensive midfield and further forward.

While he won't carry the ball forward like Anderson, he is capable of picking out key and progressive passes more regularly than the Forest man. But with a price tag more than £100m, United may need to do some negotiating.

Eduardo Camavinga - Real Madrid

Real have no shortage of midfielders but letting 23-year-old Camavinga leave would surely be a mistake. L'Equipe reported this week La Liga's giant would be open to selling the France international this summer and that will be of interest to United.

His price tag is unclear but Camavinga would be an upgrade on Anderson. He is an incredibly well-rounded midfielder who has yet to reach his peak.

The only hesitation would be the midfielder's lack of Premier League experience. But when a player like Camavinga becomes available, he is worth taking a gamble on.