Bryan Robson warns Man Utd that summer transfer move could be blocked | Football

Bryan Robson says Manchester United are likely to come up against a brick wall if they pursue a deal for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer.

Having revamped their misfiring attack with the addition of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko last summer, the Red Devils are set to prioritise strengthening their midfield when the transfer window opens for business.

United’s hierarchy had drawn up a shortlist of potential midfield signings 12 months ago, with the likes of Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba all heavily linked with moves to Old Trafford.

But United’s search ultimately came to nothing, prompting Ruben Amorim to drop Bruno Fernandes back into a deeper role in the first half of the campaign – one of many decisions that infuriated the fanbase.

While results and performances have picked up dramatically under Amorim’s interim replacement, Michael Carrick, central midfield is still viewed as an area of concern, especially with Casemiro on his way out of the Theatre of Dreams.

England duo Wharton and Anderson remain firmly on United’s radar as possible recruits, along with Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni and Newcastle’s Tonali.

As it stands, Manchester City are believed to be in pole position to secure Anderson’s services, with the player himself favouring a move to the Etihad this summer.

But according to United legend Robson, the Nottingham Forest star will undoubtedly be under consideration after an outstanding year for both club and country.

‘There’s always quality players up there [in the north east] and you just hope that when your scouts see these players, you actually capture them,’ Robson told the Talk Of The Devils podcast.

‘Anderson is one that will definitely be on the chart and Adam Wharton down at Crystal Palace.

‘The thing is, you can have the people who you want to bring into your club but sometimes the transfer fee is going to be massive, or the clubs just don’t want to sell.’

Addressing the rumours surrounding another of United’s targets, Tonali, Robson suggested his former club may face difficulties in striking a deal with Newcastle for the Italy international.

‘I look at Tonali at Newcastle and we’ve been linked with him quite a bit at United,’ Robson explained.

‘A club like Newcastle with loads of money, they get full houses, they get 60,000 every game, do they really want to lose a player like that? Because then they’ve got to replace him, a bit like Bruno Fernandes with us.’

Turning his attentions to United’s current midfield options, Robson was keen to applaud Kobbie Mainoo on his return to the fold after the youngster had been frozen out by Amorim.

According to Robson, the experience and assured presence of Casemiro in Carrick’s midfield has been key in the 21-year-old managing to finding his feet again at Old Trafford.

‘I just look back at the FA Cup final against Manchester City and Kobbie was outstanding in that game,’ the ex-United and England captain said.

‘For it to be a big game and playing against class players, I thought he managed it really well and you’re thinking he’s going to kick on the next year with the confidence that he could from that.

‘Unfortunately, all that year, he was injured quite a bit and he just lost the edge off his game. Amorim didn’t really trust him in that central midfield but then Michael Carrick came in.

‘He’s got great ability and he looks fit again. In the first couple of games, he just didn’t quite have that sharpness of playing week in, week out, but then they left him in there for a long run and all of a sudden, Kobbie came through and he was back to really good form.

‘I think the experience of Casemiro helped him a lot. He can be a top player but if Casemiro does leave then I feel we’ve still got to maybe sign a couple of players in that central midfield to have the balance of the squad, especially if we go into the Champions League.’

If United manage to secure Champions League qualification this season, Robson sees no reason why Carrick should not be given the job on a full-time basis ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

‘I think Michael has done a great job. He kept it pretty simple when he came in, he put Harry Maguire back in the team as a centre-half, who I think is our best centre-half,’ Robson continued.

‘Luke Shaw went back to left-back and I think that’s Luke’s favourite position, he put Kobbie Mainoo in to complement Casemiro, and then the forwards have been good buys.

‘The forwards have done well in their first seasons so the balance is there, it’s pretty good.

‘Michael is nice and calm. Sometimes fans want to see a manager [barking orders]. Honestly, I look back and when managers shout, you cannot hear them.’

On Carrick, Robson went on: ‘He’s done great. I’m not too sure how any games Michael’s been in charge now (12) but I know we’ve only lose two so that’s good.

‘From where we were to where Michael has taken us, the only thing Michael has got to now is finish off the job and get us in the Champions League.

‘If he gets us in the Champions League, there’s no reason why Manchester United cannot give him the job and at least give him a go for a couple of years.’

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