Manchester United are weighing up moves for two players who featured in the Championship last season as they look to provide manager Michael Carrick with greater depth for the upcoming campaign. The club are considering a double swoop for Southampton's Shea Charles and Leicester City defender Ben Nelson this summer.
Midfield reinforcement a priority
United are bracing themselves for a hectic transfer window as they prepare for Champions League football next season. Their midfield has been pinpointed as a key area for reinforcement. They are on the verge of securing Ederson from Atalanta but are anticipated to bring in two or three midfielders as they look to shift Manuel Ugarte, with Casemiro already confirmed as departing.
The 13-time Premier League champions are hoping to deliver a marquee signing, with Sandro Tonali linked to Old Trafford, but also want to strengthen squad depth across the board. According to Mail Online, they are weighing up moves for the Championship pair.
Shea Charles: A familiar target
Charles, who missed out on promotion with Southampton following the Spygate scandal, is valued at £25 million. He was recruited by United chief Jason Wilcox during his time at Southampton. The defensive midfielder left Manchester City for St Mary's and was reportedly regarded as a player who would 'prosper at the highest level'.
Ben Nelson: Versatile defender
Leicester defender Nelson, 22, is also believed to be a target following the Foxes' relegation. The towering defender has attracted interest from Manchester City and Leicester, with Enzo Maresca understood to be an admirer ahead of his expected appointment as Pep Guardiola's successor at City.
Nelson has caught United's eye and is capable of operating at left-back as well as in his natural central defensive role. He would be anticipated to offer squad depth alongside United's emerging young talents.
Carrick's transfer plans
United boss Carrick has already spoken of the significance of the forthcoming transfer window, having steered the club to third place in the Premier League. He said: 'I think the beauty of the next transfer window for everybody, it's always the biggest thing in the world, and the most important transfer window of all time for every club, I think. That's just the nature of how it's been created, to be honest. And I think, again, as a football club, you want to keep moving forward.'
Carrick added: 'We certainly do as a football club, want to keep moving forward. So, I think it's acknowledged we're at this stage and the dynamics and the balance of the direction we're at, where we've ended up getting to and finishing in the league. And there's obviously work to do. I know it's quite obvious, there's certain players leaving, that there's a bit of work to do. It's not any more important, this one, than the last one, or it's what's ahead of us as a football club to try and make the most of.'
