Manchester United Identify This Aston Villa Midfielder As A Target: Good Signing For Carrick?

Manchester United are poised to prioritise central-midfield reinforcements this summer, and Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana has emerged as a live candidate on their shortlist, according to Transfer Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke.

With Casemiro set to depart at season’s end and uncertainty swirling around Manuel Ugarte’s long-term future, the club accept that the engine room needs fresh blood. Onana, 24, is a name that has lingered on United’s radar from previous scouting cycles and, while not currently considered the primary target, remains very much in the conversation.

The Belgian has anchored Villa’s midfield with consistent authority this term, scoring twice in 25 appearances across all competitions and showcasing the ball-winning timing that has become his trademark. Comfortable breaking up play or calmly recycling possession, Onana has logged enough Premier League mileage to suggest a seamless adaptation to life at Old Trafford.

His contractual situation, however, will test United’s resolve: a deal that runs until 2029 places Villa in a strong bargaining position and rules out any cut-price swoop.

Versatility adds to Onana’s appeal. Though naturally a holding midfielder, he has the engine to operate box-to-box, an attribute that would inject energy and dynamism into Michael Carrick’s midfield options. At an age that hints at approaching his peak, the Belgian could challenge for a starting berth immediately while offering longevity.

For Carrick, concluding a deal for Onana would represent a statement of intent as United look to construct a squad capable of mounting sustained challenges on multiple fronts.

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