Manchester United’s summer midfield hunt is getting messier by the day. They whiffed on Elliot Anderson, who went to Manchester City for a laughable £116 million. They couldn’t land Mateus Fernandes either, and Tottenham paid £85 million for him despite West Ham getting relegated last season. So now United are widening the net. And that net has pulled in Sander Berge.
Berge is 28 years old and currently playing for Norway in the World Cup. He’s not young. He’s not flashy. But according to Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, who said this on the Talk of the Devils podcast, United are looking at him again. They had interest back in the 2023-24 season before Berge moved from Burnley to Fulham for £25 million. Now he’d cost more.
“He’s playing pretty well for Norway in the World Cup,” Whitwell said. “United did look at him before he went to Fulham. They didn’t go for him, but Fulham did for £25 million. He’d cost more now. He would be the player that would fit into the team straight away. He’s not going to be the star player or transform what United can do, but he would be somebody capable at this potential level.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement. It’s more like saying he won’t embarrass himself. But given the prices being thrown around for everyone else, maybe that’s the kind of signing United needs to make. A functional midfielder who costs less than the GDP of a small nation.
The Other Names on United’s List
Berge isn’t the only alternative. United have also been looking at Alex Scott at Bournemouth. Simon Stone of the BBC reported recently that Scott is Michael Carrick’s top midfield target. But Bournemouth have told United and Arsenal that Scott is not for sale. So that’s probably not happening.
Then there’s Aurelien Tchouameni at Real Madrid. He’s reportedly available if Jose Mourinho decides to sell him. The price tag is around €100 million (£85 million). United would open talks if that happens, but that’s a big if. Tchouameni is a legit talent, but that kind of money for a guy who hasn’t fully settled at Madrid feels risky.
Andrey Santos at Chelsea is another option. INEOS, United’s ownership group, is showing firm interest. Santos would reportedly be open to the move. The deal would cost around £50 million. But United haven’t started discussions with Chelsea yet, so it’s early.
One Name They Won’t Be Chasing
United are unlikely to go for Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha. He’s rated at €120 million (£102.5 million). That’s way too rich even for a club that just watched Anderson go for £116 million. The market is completely broken right now. Every team with a decent midfielder is asking for nine figures. And United keep swinging and missing on the guys they actually want, so they’re left looking at players like Berge. Nothing wrong with Berge. He’s solid. But he’s not the kind of signing that gets fans excited. He’s the kind of signing you make when you’re frustrated and need a body in midfield.
United have not made any official offers yet. The board is still working through options. But with the season approaching and the World Cup still going, expect this to drag on a little longer.
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