Strengthen his range of play. That is one of the great objectives Manchester United has set for the upcoming summer transfer market. The Red Devils want to bolster a position that will say goodbye to Brazilian Casemiro, and where the continuity of other specialists, such as Manuel Ugarte or Kobbie Mainoo, cannot be taken for granted.

In recent weeks, the media have linked the English club with numerous candidates. Finally, and after an initial filtering process, the list managed by the sports directorate has been reduced to five players: the Englishmen Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest, 25 years old) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace, 22), the Cameroonian Carlos Baleba (Brighton, 22), the German Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart, 24) and the Italian Sandro Tonali (Newcastle, 25).

In conversation with The United Stand, journalist Ben Jacobs has hinted that the two central midfielders United wishes to recruit at the end of the season should come from the aforementioned list. "About two months ago, between eight and twelve names were being considered, but now it seems Manchester United has narrowed the list down to Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and possibly Angelo Stiller and Sandro Tonali.

Other options could still arise, but if United gets their ideal midfield pairing, they will likely be two from that group. That said, they could miss out on the Champions League and would have to look for alternatives," he stated.

As Jacobs rightly points out, the final offensive will depend on the team's ability to get into the next edition of the Champions League. Without the funds guaranteed by the top continental competition, it seems difficult for those at Old Trafford to reach the €200 million that the coveted double signing might require.

Manchester United is entering a critical stretch that will define its European aspirations, starting Monday, February 23, with a high-tension visit to Hill Dickinson Stadium to test themselves against Everton, where the margin for error is nonexistent following the stumbles of their rivals.

Subsequently, the Red Devils will return to Old Trafford on Sunday, March 1, to host Crystal Palace, a match where playing at home will be fundamental to maintaining momentum before a grueling end to the week.

Finally, the team must demonstrate its hierarchy as a visitor on Wednesday, March 4, against Newcastle, a direct clash in the upper part of the table that will demand the squad's best tactical version to leave St. James' Park with points and consolidate their position in the race for Champions League places.

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