Report: Manchester United shortlist 4 midfielders to replace Carrick and Mkhitaryan

What's the rumour?

After sealing the deal to bring Alexis Sanchez to Old Trafford on a swap deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way, Manchester United have now turned their attention to strengthening their midfield.

According to Independent, the Red Devils are now looking at four midfielders. Jean-Michel Seri of Nice, Frederico Rodrigues Santos (aka Fred) from Shakhtar Donetsk, Carlos Soler of Valencia, and Julian Weigl of Borussia Dortmund are all on their list of targets.

In case you didn't know...

Manchester United will be short of midfield options this summer after Michael Carrick's health issues have forced him to retire at the end of the season.

The 36-year-old was diagnosed with an irregular heart rhythm and could join the United coaching staff at the end of the season.

The heart of the matter

If Marouane Fellaini also leaves the club and with Mkhitaryan already off their books, Mourinho has no backup options in midfield for Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Jesse Lingard.

Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini may not be in the Manchester United squad next season

Ander Herrera has also fallen out of favour, playing just 853 minutes in the Premier League all season.

Rumour rating/probability

6/10

Seri: This is a transfer that could happen if United are willing to pay Nice €40m - Seri's buyout clause. However, the Ivorian midfielder's style of play is more suited to a team that plays possession football.

Soler: He is reportedly keen on moving to Old Trafford according to Metro but he may not be first choice for the Portuguese boss.

Weigl: The German midfielder may not be ready to move away from Germany and Borussia Dortmund will not want to sell him either.

Fred: It is a transfer that hinges on whether he gets a work permit. Having played in Ukraine for five years, he may get it but he hasn't played enough games for Brazil.

Video: The best of Julian Weigl

Author's take

Midfield has been a problematic area for Mourinho with just 26% of their attacks coming through the middle. Without Pogba, their midfield suffers even more with very little being created in the middle of the park.

United have also been linked with Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil in the past and if the German does not extend his contract (which expires at the end of the season), then he may be their no.1 priority.