Erik ten Hag will target a central midfielder this summer, with Brighton pair Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister on the shortlist of potential signings.
Ten Hag has used Bruno Fernandes as a deep-lying midfielder effectively, while Casemiro has completed a four-match suspension and Christian Eriksen has been injured. But the midfield remains a priority area to strengthen, along with a striker.
United attempted to sign Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, who worked with Ten Hag at Ajax, last summer but the Netherlands midfielder stayed in Catalonia, where he has been a key player in putting Barca within sight of the La Liga title.
Moises Caicedo. File photo
Other midfielders have been shortlisted by United, including the two Brighton midfielders who are on the radar of several Premier League clubs.
Caicedo, the Colombia midfielder, wanted to join Arsenal in the January transfer window but the league leaders' offers were not accepted by Brighton.
They also have an interest in West Ham's Declan Rice. Caicedo, 21, has since extended his contract at the Amex Stadium until 2027, while teammate Mac Allister signed a new deal in October.
In both cases, Premier League clubs will explore whether there are agreements to allow them to leave, with both likely to be valued in excess of £70m.
Mac Allister, 24, won the World Cup with Argentina since agreeing fresh terms and has sparked interest from several clubs after arriving at Brighton in 2019 from Argentinos Juniors.
Manchester City are also looking at midfield options as Ilkay Gundogan is coming to the end of his contract with no agreement yet over a new deal. Chelsea were linked with Mac Allister during the brief tenure of former Brighton manager Graham Potter.
Ten Hag would welcome more competition in central midfield. Casemiro and Eriksen are his first choice as starters, supported by Scott McTominay, who scored the opening goal against Everton in the 2-0 win on Saturday.Marcel Sabitzer, who is on loan from Bayern Munich until the end of the season, played further forward, in a No. 10 role, while Bruno shifted back as a deep-lying playmaker from his usual advanced position. Brazil midfielder Fred came off the bench.
"When you miss players you have to find solutions as a manager," Ten Hag said.
"When Casemiro and Eriksen were available there was no need to bring Bruno down, but when you miss them you have to bring a solution from the back to bring the build-up, progress the ball to attack. Bruno's playing brilliant games."
Marcus Rashford limped off with a groin injury and will have a scan to determine the damage before it is determined whether he will have a spell on the sidelines.
The Daily Telegraph in London
