Sander Berge to Man Utd transfer: Burnley midfielder identified as ‘number six’ in Ten Hag’s revamped midfield | OneFootball

Erik ten Hag, who saved his job after winning last season’s FA Cup, has already seen the arrival of centre-back Leny Yoro and forward Joshua Zirkzee.

Both are positions where Man Utd felt the need to strengthen, and the same could be said in midfield, particularly the defensive role. Chances are multiple Champions League winner Casemiro, who has nominally played as Man Utd’s No.6, could end his two-year stay at Old Trafford, with the Saudi Pro League as the likely destination.

Reports suggest the Red Devils are preparing for the possibility and have already headhunted a replacement, with Paris Saint-Germain fulcrum Manuel Ugarte initially earmarked. However, The Athletic revealed that his £51m valuation has put Man Utd off, and now they are looking elsewhere.

The location is not far away, a 50-minute drive up the M66 to Turf Moor, from where Norwegian international Sander Berge currently calls home. Having relocated to Burnley from Sheffield United last summer, Berge made a Premier League comeback and featured in all but one of the Clarets’ fixtures during an ill-fated campaign.

He scored one goal against Fulham on the road while providing two assists from a predominantly central midfield position in then-manager Vincent Kompany’s 4-4-2 formation. This allowed Burnley to field a traditional No.6-8 axis in the middle of the park, with Berge acting as the former.

Berge, once a target for Liverpool, is also attracting interest from Fenerbahçe, where former Man Utd boss José Mourinho now manages. His statistics could explain why Man Utd would be eager to sign him. He averaged 46.78 passes per 90 minutes in England’s top division last season while posting an 88.10% pass completion rate. Berge also produced 4.91 and 1.92 progressive passes and carries per 90, respectively.

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Berge averaged 2.1 tackles per game and ranked among the top 7% of central midfielders for aerial battles won per 90 minutes. “He’s been brilliant for us,” said Kompany. “He’s been dominant up against opposition midfielders.”

Man Utd and their supporters witnessed first hand Berge’s evolution from looking imposing to being imposing in a 1-1 draw this past April at Old Trafford; a meeting that saw him complete 43 of his 48 attempted passes, create three chances, make three interceptions, and have a 100% tackle success rate (three out of three). Furthermore, his line-breaking ball-carrying was fundamental to Burnley’s attacking threat.

Were Berge to join Man Utd, given Ten Hag’s preference for a 4-2-3-1, that leaves two remaining spots in the midfield to be occupied. Bruno Fernandes is the Man Utd captain and, barring injury or suspension, is expected to start most games for the club.

Fernandes could, in turn, act as Man Utd’s No.10, leaving Kobbie Mainoo, whose rise from youth team prospect to first-team star last season has seen him emerge as a likely starter for Man Utd this season, as the No.8 in this midfield triumvirate.

Berge could also help Man Utd in an area where they struggled last season. Ten Hag’s team finished the 2022/23 season with the seventh-most attempted shots via fast breaks, including goals (31). A player who can excel defensively and quickly move the ball upfield could be very beneficial. Most of his passes in the Premier League last season were made forward (22.6%).

A transfer doesn’t seem immediately forthcoming, as Burnley demands £30 million for his signature, more than double what they paid last year. Man Utd, though, are willing to pay only £20 million, creating a valuation gap. Things might change as the market is set to close on 30th August, but Man Utd open their Premier League campaign a fortnight earlier, by which Ten Hag would love to get much of his business done.