Man Utd have clear transfer priority after Manuel Ugarte injury and £116m Elliot Anderson snub

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Teddy Sheringham has called on Manchester United to intensify their interest in Adam Wharton, following their failure to land Elliot Anderson. Manchester City have struck a deal with Nottingham Forest for the midfielder worth in the region of £116million .

With his arrival now seemingly a formality, United have one fewer midfield target to chase as they seek a long-term replacement for the departing Casemiro . The Red Devils have been connected with a host of players since the Brazilian's exit was confirmed earlier this year, and separating genuine transfer interest from mere speculation has proven no easy task for supporters.

However, according to Sheringham , who turned out for United between 1997 and 2001, Crystal Palace's Wharton should be the club's primary target. Speaking to BOYLE Sports, he said: "Adam Wharton missing out on the World Cup makes it a good time for Manchester United to get that deal done.

"I think Elliot Anderson is the better player but I do like the both of them. They're both very comfortable on the ball.

"There's been a lot of talk about Elliot Anderson going to Manchester United but Anderson or Wharton would be a very good acquisition for me. [Michael] Carrick knows when you're Manchester United and you're playing at home at Old Trafford you need to camp in the other team's half.

"You need to box them in. You can't rely on hitting teams on the break when you're at Old Trafford but he will know that.

"He's experienced that as a player and he will know what type of players it will take to do that again. It's not just about telling a person that this is what's expected when you haven't got the players to do it.

"You can't do it without the right players. That's why he needs to go and sign someone like Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton who can win the ball high up the pitch, keep the play going in the final third, finding that pass to recycle it and keep the ball, and stop opponents getting out.

"That's tough to do. Hopefully he can go out and get the right players that can do that."

The comments come as United have been dealt a devastating blow, with Manuel Ugarte suffering a knee ligament injury at the World Cup which could rule him out for months. The Uruguayan was carried off on a stretcher after twisting awkwardly during his country's encounter with Spain on Saturday, with United confirming the grim news shortly afterwards.

An official statement from the club read: "Manchester United can confirm that Manuel Ugarte has suffered a knee ligament injury whilst representing Uruguay in Friday's World Cup group-stage match against Spain.

"Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the best course of treatment and the rehabilitation timescale. Everyone wishes Manuel a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way."

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Ugarte had been considered expendable at Old Trafford this summer, having struggled to leave his mark since his 2024 switch from Paris Saint-Germain . Yet any hopes of offloading him now appear to have been dashed by what the player himself has described as "the most serious injury a footballer can face."

He took to Instagram to write: "A few days have passed since everything happened. Suffering the most serious injury a footballer can face in one of the most important matches in my country's history, and seeing it end this way without being able to stay on the pitch and support my teammates until the final whistle, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

"Hitting rock bottom will make me stronger in every sense, and I truly believe that's the case here. Without a doubt, when life wants you to stop, it finds a way to let you know.

"It's up to me to take the positives from this. Success in life is about starting again every time you fall. I'm incredibly grateful to @aufoficial and @manutd for being there for me from the moment it happened.

"A huge thank you as well to my family, my friends, and everyone who has sent me messages of support during this time. I'll be back stronger."

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