Sky Sports journalist confirms Man United official approach to sign £100m midfielder - it's not Adam Wharton

Manchester United went into the international break in a great position, just one point off the top four, and off the back of five games unbeaten. They drew 2-2 to Tottenham in their last match, and will hope to come out of the break in similar form.

Looking further ahead, the January transfer window will be a priority for United, as they are desperate to add more quality in midfield. Ruben Amorim would like to sign another holding midfielder, who can play alongside Bruno Fernandes, and be United’s long-term Casemiro replacement.

The Brazilian’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and as he is 33, he won’t be a viable long-term option. United have been linked to several midfielders, including Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton; however, reports are now suggesting that they are going after a different name.

Man United make official approach for Elliot Anderson

Aside from Wharton, Man United have also been linked with Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson, who has also generated interest from Newcastle and Manchester City in the past. The 22-year-old has broken into Thomas Tuchel’s England team in recent months and has become one of Forest’s most reliable players.

According to Sky Sports Journalist Florian Plettenberg, United have made an approach to make Forest aware of their ‘concrete’ interest in the England international. It will likely be a big draw for the 22-year-old to come to Old Trafford, but Forest won’t make the deal easy, as “a fee in the region of £100–120 million is still being demanded.”

Because of Forest’s very high asking price, any move for Anderson to United would seem more likely in the summer transfer window rather than January, as it will be difficult for United to fork out £100m, considering that they spent over £170m in the summer transfer window, without too many big-money sales.

Could Man United sign a cheaper midfielder in January?

There is a chance that the Red Devils could make a short-term loan happen for a midfielder for the remainder of the season. Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, as reports have suggested that United want to sign him on a loan until the end of the season.

Gallagher has made 12 La Liga appearances this season, scoring just one goal, but he would fit the mould of a proven Premier League player, similar to Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who United signed in the summer.

However, it is understood that whilst Man United want Gallagher on loan, Atletico wants either no move, or a permanent sale, meaning that they will have to negotiate a deal that both parties are happy with. The 25-year-old currently has an estimated market value of around £35m.

Other than Gallagher, United have also been linked to Brighton’s Carlos Baleba; however, more like Anderson and Wharton, he is expected to command a hefty transfer fee, with Brighton demanding over £100m for the 21-year-old in the summer.

In other news, Ruben Amorim has an 'electric' Man United player who is becoming their new Ryan Giggs - it's not Matheus Cunha.