Manchester United Eyes Sander Berge as New Midfield Target

Manchester United‘s transfer window has seen some ups and downs lately. The bad news is that they might have missed out on a key midfielder who was highly sought after and even agreed on personal terms. On the brighter side, United didn’t cave in to extremely high demands, which shows they’re sticking to their principles.

Now, the club has to shift its focus to new targets and Sander Berge has popped up as a prominent option. To get a better insight into Berge’s playing style and how he might fit at United, I chatted with Lee Connor, a lifelong Sheffield United supporter who witnessed Berge’s early career in English football.

Berge made his move to Sheffield United back in 2020 for a club-record fee, which was a major deal since he had just been recognized in the Champions League’s breakthrough team while playing for Genk. Though he couldn’t save the team from relegation due to injury, his reputation remained strong. He chose to stay with Sheffield United, helped the team get back into the Premier League, and later joined Burnley.

Even if Burnley ended up getting relegated, Berge is still considered a valuable player. Connor praises him as quality but expresses doubt about whether he can truly replace Ugarte as a defensive midfielder. “He’s absolutely not a ‘destroyer’,” Connor mentions, pointing out that there are questions about whether he’s even a modern number 6. At Burnley, they tried to use him that way, but during his best moments with Sheffield United, he excelled when given the freedom to push forward.

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager, previously sought to have players who can advance the ball from deep, a role initially meant for Frenkie de Jong. That need appears to have been filled, but clubs such as Liverpool have shown interest in Berge before, with United’s interest being nothing new either. Connor believes that playing alongside better players can help Berge elevate his game. “He is remarkably calm in possession, and I have always wondered if he’d thrive alongside better players,” he says.

Connor feels that the time is ripe for Berge to consider a move, as he seems ready after facing some tough times in England. However, he also notes that Berge is not without his flaws right now. “He is poor in the air for someone who stands around 6ft 4,” Connor explains, adding that he sometimes gets pushed around too easily, especially given his stature.

As much as clubs like Liverpool have previously shown interest in him, Connor believes that if Berge is ever going to make a big move, it is right now. Despite Burnley’s relegation, he was still a standout player, and if Berge is seeking a significant transfer, the timing appears perfect.

There’s some optimism that Ineos, the club’s owners, have gained enough trust from fans to believe that they’ll have a plan in mind if they go for Berge. He isn’t an identical replacement for Ugarte, and there may be concerns about fitting him alongside Mainoo, which could leave United vulnerable during transitions. Still, Berge has shown versatility in how he can be utilized, and Ten Hag has proven he is adaptable, having switched to a fluid 4-2-2-2 system towards the end of last season.

At this moment, Berge seems like a worthwhile addition to Manchester United’s midfield, particularly if the price tag is reasonable. Depending on how he develops, the club might reassess whether they need a more high-profile signing next summer when Casemiro’s contract situation becomes clearer.