Manchester United Listen to Rio Ferdinand Scouting Tip as Premier League Stars on Transfer Shortlist

Manchester United have reportedly eyed up two alternative transfer options to Carlos Baleba – with one suggested by Rio Ferdinand.

The Red Devils spent a whopping £220million on new signings in the summer window with some big names arriving to help push the club up the division from their 15th spot finish last term.

Ruben Amorim sanctioned deals for Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo and Senne Lammens among others before the window slammed shut early this month.

The manager also had other players on his shortlist for recruitment that he hoped to bring to Old Trafford but, for one reason or another, deals could not be struck.

One of those players was Baleba at Brighton who wanted the move to the Theatre of Dreams despite Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler insisting his player would “100 percent stay” at the Amex.

Adam Wharton emerges as Manchester United transfer target

It meant United had to move on from the Cameroon international, 21, and they have indeed done so by shortlisting two other players for the January window – or next summer – who could do a job.

One of those names was recommended by Ferdinand last month with the former defender urging his old club United to sign Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace.

The Manchester Evening News claim Wharton has emerged as a candidate for investment from Manchester United with the England international a strong option.

Wharton is contracted to Palace until 2029 which leaves the Eagles in a seriously strong bargaining position should their resolve be tested.

Ferdinand had said: “We’ve been talking about Baleba, he’s been the hot topic for the last month or so, but before that, Adam Wharton was one of the guys I was saying.

“He’s the nearest to a Michael Carrick type, who’s a controller, who can play, who plays forward from that deeper line position at times.

“He can be an eight if you need him to be and can run on at times if need be, but he’s more of a conductor and can control things.”

Who else is on Manchester United’s transfer shortlist?

Another player who has been namechecked where United are concerned is Nottingham Forest playmaker Elliot Anderson.

The forward thinking 22-year-old has been excellent for Forest in recent seasons and played a big part for Nuno Espirito Santo last term in their finishing seventh and qualifying for the Europa League.

Anderson is also dealt in at Selhurst Park for the next four years which would mean mega money would have to be spent to even convince Palace to get round the table to negotiate.

Anderson represents a more attacking proposition than Wharton.