Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali — Lee Sharpe's verdict on Man United's midfield rebuild

Manchester United's return to Champions League football next season sets the stage for a huge summer transfer window for the club. With that in mind, we had the pleasure of catching up with former United winger Lee Sharpe.

He shared his views on who should be the main targets for United's midfield reconstruction. He also delved into potential financial constraints facing the club, and whether Benjamin Sesko needs more help as United's main number nine heading into next season.

United told to target Anderson and Tonali this summer

Of the midfield options rumoured to be of interest to United, one of Sharpe’s first picks would be Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.

"Anderson at Forest has had an unbelievable season again and looks like he's getting stronger the more he plays. (Adam) Wharton has been good at Crystal Palace. He's probably been a little bit overshadowed by the season that Anderson has had because I think he's been in a different class for Palace."

Sharpe's admiration for Adam Wharton is genuine, but when pushed to choose, Anderson edges it and the reasoning comes down to dynamism and versatility. Wharton offers composure and control but Anderson offers a level of athleticism that makes him such a compelling option in this action-packed, fast-paced era of the Premier League.

"If I was to pick two midfielders for United to target, I would pick Anderson and then for experience and a touch of class I would go with (Sandro) Tonali. Wharton I think would be just as good, but I just think Anderson offers a little bit more of an edge than Wharton."

Meanwhile, Sandro Tonali, according to Sharpe, is Premier League proven, technically assured, and offers the kind of composure United's midfield has lacked, though prising him away from St. James' Park won't be an easy feat.

"Tonali is one that I like. I'm not sure how keen on selling him Newcastle would be to be fair and what sort of price he would come at. But Tonali has obviously had a few good seasons at Newcastle, he's got Premier League experience, he knows what he's doing and he's a top quality player."

"There's some real talented players and they would come in on the back of really good performances, when you look at people like Anderson. Tonali is a trusted Premier League midfielder that's got a bit of class. There's players out there that could come in and hit the ground running and be really good."

In terms of the here and now, United have a midday clash against Nottingham Forest to focus on as their Premier League campaign draws to a close. They can be backed at 3/5 with our bet365 bonus code, but given how Forest have been playing as of late under Vitor Pereira, anything is possible.

Tchouameni and Baleba - the alternatives?

Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni's situation at Real Madrid has been anything but straightforward. A series of dressing room incidents of late have seemingly clouded his future at the Bernabeu, and Sharpe sees that turbulence as something United could potentially turn to their advantage, despite the questions such a move could raise, given his recent bust up with Federico Valverde.

"With the recent ongoing dressing room shenanigans, shall we say, United may have a little bit more of a chance of getting Tchouaméni out of Real Madrid."

Brighton's Carlos Baleba entered this season with considerable expectation. A move to a bigger club felt inevitable with United’s interest well known. Instead, the campaign has been a difficult one with rumours suggesting his move to United not working out may have turned his head and impacted him on the pitc,h

"Last season Brighton weren't in a rush to sell Baleba because they thought he was going to be worth a lot more and on a larger scale than he is now. He's just not quite done it this season. I don't know whether that was because of the transfer talk at the start of the season which turned his head and then he just couldn't find his rhythm, but it doesn't seem to have worked out for him and Brighton have had a good season."

"I'm surprised he's not stood out a little bit more, but maybe you can go and get him at a cheaper price because he's had a quieter season and then he can deliver on his potential."

"Baleba has obviously had a quiet season, so that could potentially be a little bit of a gamble, but I still think any of them would do great jobs."

Red Devils need to spend wisely across the pitch

Midfield is not the only area requiring attention. The forward line needs reinforcing, too. With Champions League football returning to Old Trafford, Sharpe believes the club must find more firepower, but remains mindful of the financial constraints that will shape every decision made this summer.

"The issue Manchester United have this year is that they need recruiting in so many areas, and it's just whether the finances can cover every base. I definitely think they need wide men, they're obviously going to need midfielders because Casemiro and Ugarte will be leaving."

"But I also think they do need to strengthen up top. They do need a little bit more firepower. There's a bit more clinical finishing that's needed, as I think they do create chances. I think Sesko is a good player, but I'm not sure he's the finished article yet."

"He's still quite young, and he still lacks a bit of experience, but I also think that the team can help him out a bit more by getting around him a little bit better and helping him out in situations where he gets stuck up top on his own."

One name that has caught the attention of United, Arsenal, and Manchester City alike is Bournemouth's Junior Kroupi. The young forward has been one of the breakout performers of the season, and Sharpe sees the logic in pursuing him, even if the financial puzzle remains complicated.

"It's just about how they can spend the money and the prices of these players to fit in with financial fair play and the sort of budget United have got."

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