Gareth Barry has advised Manchester United to wrap up possibly their most important transfer of the summer before the World Cup starts.

United are yet to decide who will be Ruben Amorim’s long-term replacement but Michael Carrick has emerged as the frontrunner, impressing in his role as caretaker boss since January.

Both United’s performances and form were underwhelming under Amorim but Carrick has taken the Red Devils up to third in the Premier League, just six points behind title contenders Manchester City.

Manchester United were hailed for their transfer business last summer and will hope for another productive window this time around with several key areas requiring reinforcements.

United’s priority is to sign a new central midfielder to replace Casemiro, who announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Amorim in fact wanted to sign a midfielder last summer but United prioritised attacking additions, signing Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, all of whom have impressed this season.

Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba have been heavily linked with moves to Old Trafford over the past six months and Premier League legend Barry has heaped praise on the Nottingham Forest star.

Anderson is believed to be United’s first-choice option for the midfield position and Barry says it would benefit both him and the club if a deal was struck before the World Cup starts in June.

‘Manchester United are certainly going to be looking for a Casemiro replacement,’ Barry, who has made the second-most appearances in Premier League history, told BoyleSports.

‘Elliot Anderson is probably a slightly different player and a very different age, his skillset is a lot different. But I do like Anderson.

‘If you’re a Man Utd scout, you’ll mention him. He’s one of the best off-the-ball players. He presses to limit the attacking player’s space. He’s one of the best around, and he’s capable of going the other way as well.

‘That’s why Thomas Tuchel’s got him in his starting eleven over a lot of big-name players with England, and he’s a possible starter for the World Cup team.

‘So I’m sure he’s being discussed in the Old Trafford boardroom, as well as maybe other teams.

‘I think, from that sort of experience for a player and a club, if the deal is going to happen, try to get it done as soon as possible.

‘I think it just helps everyone. It helps both clubs and helps the player, especially going into a big tournament. 

‘He doesn’t want to be thinking about his club future while trying to win the World Cup for England. It’s not going to help anyone. Also, the price tag could be a bit steeper if he has a good tournament.

‘If something like that is going to happen and the player’s got his head around the fact that it’s time for a move, it’s certainly better to be done before the tournament than after.’

Anderson’s form for Nottingham Forest has put him in contention to start for England at this summer’s World Cup.

Before that the 23-year-old, who is valued at around £80m, will hope to help Forest avoid relegation from the Premier League, with Vitor Pereira’s side 16th – three points above the drop zone – with seven games left.

Forest’s first Premier League game back following the international break is against Aston Villa on Sunday, while Anderson’s potential future club Manchester United return to action a day later against Leeds United.

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