After missing out on several of their priority midfield targets, Manchester United have been forced to reassess their plans in the transfer market.

The club have already agreed a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, with an official announcement expected after he completes the second part of his medical in Manchester. Before the summer window opened, however, United had identified Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes as their leading midfield targets.

Signing all three was never considered realistic, but United have ultimately missed out on signing any of them. Interest in Tonali dropped after it became clear a deal would be financially difficult. The club then shifted talks over to Fernandes but remained unwilling to meet West Ham United's £85 million valuation. As a result, Tottenham Hotspur swooped in and signed both Tonali and the West Ham midfielder.

Anderson, meanwhile, favoured a move to Manchester City, while Nottingham Forest's asking price also made a deal highly challenging.

As a result, United have shifted its focus to alternative options. Alex Scott remains a player they admire, although Bournemouth insist he is not for sale. Should their stance change, the Cherries are expected to demand a fee in the region of £80 million. United have also held initial talks over Felix Nmecha, but Borussia Dortmund are reportedly seeking more than £100 million for the Germany international.

After missing out on their main targets, United have shifted their focus to non-Premier League midfielders, with the club linked to the likes of Felix Nmecha and Aurélien Tchouaméni as their marquee summer signing.

One Premier League player who remains high on United's list of midfielders, however, is Alex Scott, with BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella reporting that Manchester United have made direct contact with Bournemouth about a deal for the 22-year-old.

After losing star forward Antoine Semenyo, as well as their manager Andoni Iraola, last season, the Cherries are desperate to keep hold of their midfield gem, despite Scott entering the final two years of his contract on the south coast.

It's reported that the 22-year-old is open to leaving this summer for a fresh challenge, but Bournemouth are pushing for him to sign a new long-term contract at the club, also placing an £80 million price tag for Scott after the fees that Fernandes and Anderson have gone for this summer.

Casemiro's departure has left a gaping hole in Manchester United's midfield, leaving just Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte as the only current senior midfield options at Old Trafford.

It will be hard for INEOS to fully replace Casemiro's role in the centre of the park and to find a partner for Mainoo, who the midfield will surely be built around for seasons to come.

Starting his career further forward in the midfield, Scott has developed into a deeper midfielder at Bournemouth, impressing with his ball progression from deep and his press resistance.

That being said, Scott is much better suited as a Mainoo backup than as a holding midfielder. While Casemiro wasn't an out-and-out No.6, encouraged to join attacks when opportunities arose, he did the majority of the defensive work from the midfield pivot.

Both Scott and Mainoo like to carry the ball from deep, and, despite being a very talented duo, that pairing could be left exposed in a league that is big on physicality, something United need to address with other midfield signings.