Credit: Imago and Manh Tung

Daniel Edwards

Wed 8 October 2025 11:34, UK

News of a potential offer from Saudi Arabia for Bruno Fernandes has seen Manchester United linked to a pair of Premier League future stars who could solve their midfield problems for the next decade.

Fernandes allegedly rejected a move to Al Hilal during the summer transfer window, but rumours of his departure continue to swirl amid Man United’s struggles under Ruben Amorim.

Indeed, Fernandes has now been linked to the Saudio Pro League once more, and Man United could be tempted to cash in on their 31-year-old captain if it means they are able to reinvest his potential £100million fee on a new-look midfield pairing.

The club have recently been linked to Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, while they were said to have already enquired as to the availability of the latter this summer in the wake of Fernandes’ potential departure.

Elliot Anderson is ‘Scholes 2.0’

Anderson was likened to Paul Scholes after consecutive man of the match performances for England during the September international break, starring against Andorra and Serbia.

His £35million move from Newcastle United to Nottingham Forest was at the time seen largely as a ploy to navigate both clubs’ struggles with the Premier League‘s financial regulations, but now a shoe-in for England’s World Cup squad next summer, Anderson looks to have doubled his value at the very least.

The 22-year-old is the definition of an all-rounder, excelling in multiple midfield roles where most players would be lucky to excel in one.

Anderson leads all players in the Premier League this season for touches, passes, ball carries and possession recoveries, while only Fernandes has created more FBref-defined shot-creating actions.

With set piece goals being a hot topic once again in the Premier League this season, Anderson’s ability to win fouls is also of huge use.

He ranks fourth in the top flight this season for fouls won, while he was fouled an incredible eight times in one match when Nottingham Forest lost to FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League on October 2.

Carlos Baleba will return to form

Baleba had a real breakout season for Brighton in 2024-25, more than doubling the number of starts he made in the season prior.

He looked well placed to emerge as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders in this campaign but having been denied a move to Man United towards the back-end of the transfer window, his performances have suffered as a result, with Baleba said to be distracted by rumours of his potential departure.

The Cameroonian is yet to complete 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, while he has been hooked at half-time on three occasions.

But his potential suitors should not be put off by his current struggles given the quality he showcased on a weekly basis in 2024-25.

Baleba ranked in the 91st percentile among midfielders for both interceptions and ball recoveries per 90 last season, while he ranked in the 87th percentile for take-on percentage, which as a combination only serves to highlight to danger he creates for opposition players in the middle of the park.

Anderson and Baleba can solve Man United’s long-term midfield struggles

As a combination, Anderson and Baleba are enticingly complimentary, with both able to play as a number six or a number eight, or even as a number 10 in Anderson’s case.

Man United have struggled to find players in the mould of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, with the likes of Fred, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte all failing to meet the levels required in recent seasons.

Given Anderson and Baleba are just 22 and 21 years of age respectively, the pair could potentially solve Man United’s midfield problems for the next decade.