Sandro Tonali: Shay Given makes bold claim about United target

By [Staff Writer]

Manchester United’s search for a midfield general this summer has taken an intriguing twist after Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali was thrust into the spotlight by former Magpies goalkeeper Shay Given, who likened the Italian to World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo.

United, currently guided by caretaker boss Michael Carrick until the end of the season, are bracing for the departure of long-time anchor Casemiro when his contract expires in June. Manuel Ugarte, signed as the Brazilian’s heir apparent, is also the subject of exit speculation, leaving the club scouring Europe for a fresh engine-room lynchpin.

While Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Newcastle team-mate Elliot Anderson have dominated early gossip columns, Tonali’s name has surged onto Old Trafford wish lists after a string of influential displays. Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of Newcastle’s Champions League meeting with Qarabag FC, Given did not hold back in his praise.

“He really stepped up with his two goals at Villa Park at the weekend,” Given said. “Look, he’s a special player, he’s a really talented player. I might say a big statement here, but he reminds me of Pirlo. He makes things look simple.”

The comparison carries weight. Pirlo, nicknamed The Metronome, orchestrated Italy’s 2006 World Cup triumph and collected Champions League medals with AC Milan plus four straight Serie A titles at Juventus. Tonali, 25, is still writing his story, yet his statistics hint at a player coming of age: two goals and five assists in 40 competitive outings for Newcastle this term, 34 of them starts.

Given believes the Italy international offers far more than numbers. “He’s a holding midfielder, he always seems to have time on the ball, he’s always scanning, he’s always just comfortable. He has to break things up as a number six, he does that well. But he does the other side of it as he showed the other day at Aston Villa. You could build your team around someone like Sandro.”

Such endorsement will only fuel United’s interest. Recruitment chiefs view Tonali as the ideal profile: Premier League-proven, entering his peak years and, according to widespread reports, eager to trade St. James’ Park for the Theatre of Dreams. The complication is contractual; Tonali is tied to Newcastle until 2028, and any deal is expected to exceed £80 million. Liverpool are also monitoring developments, setting the stage for a potential bidding war.

United splurged on attacking reinforcements last summer, landing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and intend to apply a similar strategy to midfield. Whether they can tempt Newcastle into negotiations—or activate what would be a club-record British sale—will dominate headlines between now and the August window.

For now, Tonali remains a Newcastle player, lauded by fans and club icons alike. Yet with United’s need urgent, the Pirlo comparisons ringing in their ears, and the player reportedly keen, the saga appears only just beginning.