Sheringham urges United to sign Wharton after Anderson deal collapses and Ugarte suffers knee injury

Manchester United’s midfield rebuild has been dealt a double blow after Elliot Anderson agreed to join Nottingham Forest for around £116 million and Manuel Ugarte sustained a knee ligament injury at the World Cup that could sideline him for months.

Ugarte was stretchered off during Uruguay’s clash with Spain on Saturday after twisting awkwardly, with United subsequently confirming the severity of the injury in an official club statement. The Uruguayan’s absence leaves Ruben Amorim’s side short of options in the engine room as they search for a long-term successor to the departing Casemiro.

Former United striker Teddy Sheringham has urged the club to act quickly and target Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. “Adam Wharton missing out on the World Cup makes it a good time for Manchester United to get that deal done,” Sheringham said. “I think Elliot Anderson is the better player but I do like both of them. They’re both very comfortable on the ball.”

Sheringham, who represented United between 1997 and 2001, stressed that the profile of player required at Old Trafford is specific. “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,” he said.

“You need someone like Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton who can win the ball high up the pitch, keep the play going in the final third, find that pass to recycle it and keep the ball, and stop opponents getting out. That’s tough to do.”

With Anderson now heading to the City Ground, Wharton appears to be the clearest remaining option matching Sheringham’s description. United have been linked with a wide range of midfield targets since Casemiro’s departure was announced earlier this year, though separating genuine interest from speculation has proved difficult throughout the window.

The Ugarte injury compounds the urgency. The 24-year-old joined United from Paris Saint-Germain last summer and had established himself as a key figure in Amorim’s system. A lengthy absence at the start of the new season will force the club’s hand in the transfer market sooner rather than later.