Manchester United have been in touch with the entourage of Burnley midfielder Sander Berge, according to The Athletic.
The website has confirmed reports from last week that the Red Devils are seriously considering the Norwegian international as an alternative to Manuel Ugarte.
Berge is believed to have attracted the attention of United’s analytics department, who have identified him as a more economical solution, but fans on X are very sceptical:
My team has fell off tbh😭😭
— BUTCHER (@UtdTony6) August 6, 2024
Oh dear oh dear
— Andrew Findlay (@Finders73) August 6, 2024
Absolute state of this club 😂
— RegularJon (@colesy1985) August 6, 2024
this would be an odd signing
— Nic Addy (@NicholasGAddy76) August 6, 2024
And we’ll expect the coach to do magic with players like this. 🤦🏽🤦🏽
— ابراهيم (@kodie____) August 6, 2024
I'm going to cry
— T.J.Paschal🇳🇬 (@PaschalTosin) August 6, 2024
We’ve fallen off
— shunnnny (@TwizzyyP) August 6, 2024
Not even remotely good enough
— Jay (@MUFCBox99) August 6, 2024
I’ll rather Mctominay stay
— E C K O (@evanseckolive) August 6, 2024
Why have United cooled their interest in Ugarte?
Paris Saint-Germain have not backed down on their €70m (£60m) asking price. There was some hope that a loan deal could be worked out but United have not seen any appreciable movement on the transfer so they have decided to switch targets.
Of course, you can’t rule out a move happening nearer the transfer deadline on August 3oth, if PSG have a change of heart, but the transfer is currently off.
What has led the club to pursue Berge instead?
The Athletic report that the data team have identified three key attributes in the 26-year-old’s game which make him suitable for the No.6 role.
Berge ranks highly for passing accuracy when being pressed. The Norwegian also has a good deal of pace, despite being 6ft 5, and his dribbling stats are excellent as well.
Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for 2024/2025 season here
