Manchester United ‘seriously considering’ signing midfielder who got relegated last season

Erik ten Hag is keen to strengthen his Manchester United midfield (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United are ready to pursue alternative midfield transfer targets after their plans to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte hit a snag.

With doubts surrounding the futures of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay, strengthening in midfield remains a top priority for Erik ten Hag this summer.

United had been confident of agreeing a deal for the combative Ugarte but Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his new boardroom team are refusing to be bullied into paying over the odds for any of their targets.

PSG are demanding £51 million for a player who has spent only one season at Parc des Princes following his move from Sporting Lisbon 12 months ago.

Ugarte is keen on the move to Old Trafford, but United chiefs are ready to seek alternatives unless the Ligue 1 giants lower their asking price.

Among those players United are considering are Norway international Sander Berge, who has been linked with a move to the Red Devils in the past when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was at the helm.

Berge has made 66 top flight appearances over the course of spells at Sheffield United Burnley, with whom he was relegated from the Premier League last season.

Man Utd cooled their interest in Manuel Ugarte (Picture: Getty)

Burnley want £30 million for Sander Berge (Picture: Getty)

The 26-year-old, according to The Sun, is keen on linking up with Ten Hag’s squad where a salary of £100,000 would be on offer.

Burnley, for their part, are understood to be seeking a fee in the region of £30m and it remains to be seen whether or not United are willing to pay.

Speaking about United’s limited spending power earlier this week, Ten Hag said: ‘Every club has those limitations.

‘The FFP rules for every club is there. Also, we have to manage this and go with those rules.

‘We have to manage it as good as possible to construct the best squad possible.’

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