Reputed transfer insider Fabrizio Romano expects Manchester United to be \u201cserious contenders at the table\u201d for an elite midfield talent in 2026, as they look to revamp their engine room under whoever their next permanent manager is at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n
The Red Devils are close to announcing an interim coach until the end of the season, with former favourites Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick expected to hold talks with the club over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Indeed, our sources have revealed that a decision could be made on Monday, with Solskjaer currently the firm favourite to land the role<\/a> he had for three years up until late 2021, while he also remains hugely popular with the Man Utd<\/a> fanbase.<\/p>\n In terms of the next permanent manager, that remains a huge topic for discussion, as does the areas of the team that need significant improvements going forward, with midfield very high on that list.<\/p>\n Ruben Amorim\u2019s exit has at least calmed talk of Kobbie Mainoo moving on in January, but veteran star Casemiro is expected to be shown the door in the summer<\/a> after losing a big ally in the Portuguese coach.<\/p>\n Doubts have also emerged over Manuel Ugarte\u2019s future at Old Trafford, although he was recalled to the starting XI by Darren Fletcher for the 2-2 draw with Burnley.<\/p>\n However, as we\u2019ve been reporting for some time, sporting director Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell are making a major push to sign a game-changing midfield talent who can be a mainstay of the side for years to come.<\/p>\n And now Romano has had his say on where United are at in their chase for that very player, confirming that Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson<\/a> is very much at the top of the list, despite his whopping valuation of around \u00a3100million (\u20ac115m \/ $134m).<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google <\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Romano names top two Man Utd midfield contenders<\/p>\n United are expected to have a battle on their hands to sign the 23-year-old, though, with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea also keen, while Romano has also revealed the other top contender for that holding midfielder spot at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n Speaking on the\u00a0Market Madness podcast<\/a>, the Italian spoke about United\u2019s midfield shortlist, revealing how Forest are currently\u00a0reluctant to part ways with one of their star men midway through the campaign.<\/p>\n He said:\u00a0\u201cIt is going to be a summer move. So it\u2019s still early to mention a frontrunner. For sure, I can tell you that he\u2019s very high on the list of Manchester United, together with Carlos Baleba.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are two, three players that Man United are tracking. I think they will be busy with midfielders in 2026 and Anderson is one of them, for sure.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I\u2019m sure United will be in the conversation. Then there are going to be plenty of clubs keen on him. Also, the ones you mentioned, Man City are also going to look for midfielders. Let\u2019s see what happens at Chelsea.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I think it\u2019s going to be a big battle. But at the moment, what I can say is that Man United, for sure, have mentioned his name several times internally and so I expect them to be serious contenders at the table.\u201d<\/p>\n Get the inside story first by joining our TEAMtalk Facebook channel<\/a> to receive the latest breaking and exclusive news straight into your Messenger inbox. <\/p>\n More Man Utd news: Shock Palmer swoop; big Rashford decision\u00a0<\/p>\n Man Utd are planning to raid Chelsea for Cole Palmer<\/a>, according to a speculativereport, as the Red Devils aim to beat Arsenal to the signing of Blackburn Rovers wonderkid Igor Tyjon<\/p>\n Elsewhere,\u00a0United have been warned that any potential new manager will likely be put off by the way the club has been run since Sir Jim Ratcliffe took charge<\/a>.<\/p>\n