Man United target shock return for James Garner in cut-price January move with Elliot Anderson identified as No 1 choice to lead new-look midfield

Manchester United are paying close attention to James Garner’s situation at Everton as they continue to map out plans for a midfield overhaul.

As detailed in a recent Man United Confidential, United are facing the prospect of totally overhauling central midfield in the summer with question marks over the long term futures of Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte.

Now, Daily Mail Sport understands that Garner is a name that is rising up United’s list as they explore a potential midfield addition next month.

Options at United are so depleted right now in that area that Lisandro Martinez, a centre back by trade, played there off the bench at Villa Park last weekend. Academy product Jack Fletcher is pushing for a start versus Newcastle on Boxing Day.

Ruben Amorim has not ruled out making signings in January and currently finds himself particularly short in midfield with Fernandes and Mainoo out through injury. It’s understood conversations around adding a midfielder have intensified in recent weeks.

Garner, who is heading into the final six months of his deal at Everton, is viewed as an affordable addition to go alongside more significant spending in the summer with Elliot Anderson the club’s top midfield target.

Everton are currently in contract negotiations to get the 24-year-old on fresh terms and there is understood to be an eagerness to sort this before the January window opens next week.

There is a 12-month club option but a longer term deal is what the Toffees are hoping for and as yet there has not been a significant breakthrough in those talks.

Garner, who impressed in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel in Everton’s win at Old Trafford recently, is said to be one to watch on United’s end as early as January with the possibility that part of the midfield rebuild could be brought forward, according to sources.

Garner came through United’s academy after joining at Under-8 level and made his first-team debut aged 17 when he came on as a 90th-minute substitute away to Crystal Palace.

United’s January window could cause a domino effect with no player set to be allowed to leave unless replacements can arrive.

Mainoo is keen on a loan move to Napoli, while Joshua Zirkzee is attracting interest from Italy as he seeks more minutes between now and the summer to get into the Netherlands’ World Cup squad.

‘It’s going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don’t get a substitution,’ Amorim said on Wednesday.

‘We are short. Even with the full squad we are short for something that can happen.

‘We are a club with a big responsibility. We are dealing with all these issues and in [the media’s] heads, in my head, in everybody’s head, we need to win every game. It doesn’t matter. There are no excuses.’