Man Utd transfer news: club to compete with Man City for Sporting star and ‘target’ Premier League midfielder

Manchester United could look to bolster their midfield options with two new signings this summer, according to reports.

The Red Devils will need to add options to their squad after confirming five first-team players will leave Old Trafford when their contracts expire on 30 June.

Among the list is Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata - and the quartet departures will leave a big void in Erik ten Hag’s squad.

Now, United seem to have identified Sporting Lisbon’s Matheus Nunes as one player they would like to bring to Old Trafford this summer, as per Correio da Manha,

The Portuguese newspaper states the Red Devils have ‘joined the race’ for Sporting Lisbon’s Matheus Nunes but face competition from cross-town rivals Manchester City for his signature.

They add that both Manchester teams have a ‘good relationship’ with Sporting due to their previous dealings with the Portuguese club - United signed Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo from the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

However, if Ten Hag wants to lure the midfielder to Old Trafford this summer Correio da Manha claims he’ll have to activate the 23-year-old’s €60m release clause, or offer €50m and a player on loan.

Elsewhere, the Red Devils are believed to be looking at Christian Eriksen as another option to bolster their ranks this summer, according to the Mirror.

The 30-year-old is out of contract with Brentford on 30 June and the newspaper reports United will face competition from the Bees, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton for his services.

Eriksen joined Brentford on a short-term deal in January after his contract with Inter Milan was terminated due to him not being allowed to play with an implantable cardiovascular defibrillator in Italy.

The Danish international suffered a cardiac arrest playing for his nation at Euro 2020 but has shown impressive form since his return to the pitch.

Eriksen has been a pivotal part to the Bees remaining a Premier League team next season, winning seven of the 10 league games he started in.

The tabloid adds that Brentford have offered him a new deal that would make him their highest-paid player in order to keep him in West London.

However, the opportunity to play European football with the Red Devils might sway Eriksen’s decision, as well as feature under Ten Hag.

The new United boss allowed Eriksen to train with Ajax when in charge of the Dutch club, so know first-hand the qualities he possesses.