Manchester United Transfers: 4 Midfielders Sir Alex Ferguson Would Love to Sign

On the eve of Paul Scholes' testimonial match, it is still unknown whom will be brought in by Sir Alex in the hopes of filling his void.

Not only is this a sending-off party for Scholes and his illustrious career, it is also the rebirth of one of the United States' original football clubs. It is only appropriate that this match is at Old Trafford, as former Manchester United great Eric Cantona is at the top of the list for the New York Cosmos and their reintroduction to the world.

Many names have been thrown about for players that United would be signing to fill the void left by Scholes absence. The Red Devils young Tom Cleverly has looked a future successor during preseason as he and Anderson have impressed on multiple occasions.

Sir Alex had this to say about the retiring veteran in a recent ESPNsoccernet.com article:

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"To my mind he will go down as one of the greatest players of all time for Manchester United. I was with Fabien Barthez on Wednesday having a chat and he said, 'Pass my regards on to Scholesy; he's the best player I ever played with."

"You see Xavi talking about Scholes, and he's in a better position than most of us to talk about midfield players, saying he's the best player he has every played against."

"He might not turn up—if an interview is involved he won't. He will be quite happy with his slippers on! He will endure it—if he has to do an interview or something with the fans at the end of the game he will get through it somehow, but he will not be looking forward to it."

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Nevertheless, Fergie has to have a wish list, and here are four midfielders that he would love to have if given the chance to plug a new dimension back into his central controlling areas.

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Charlie Adam

The January transfer window saw former Blackpool captain Charlie Adam become the centerpiece of a three-way tug of war between Liverpool, Manchester United and his now former club.

It appeared that Liverpool truly seemed to want him the most, while United had the better financial opportunity to snag him. However, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway raised the price on the player higher each day a rumor was put out and thus held onto his player until the close season.

Blackpool's relegation would be the catalyst to finally let Adam spread his wings and fly. United had offered £14 million in January and again looked poised to take pole position when talks over the play came up in March.

But Liverpool's patience finally at long last would pay off as after countless negotiations saw him go to the Reds and Sir Alex missed out on one of his most sought-after targets for the last six months.

People will say that Adam was not ready for United, or Liverpool, but both Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish appear to believe quite the opposite.

Daniele De Rossi

Daniele De Rossi is a player that Sir Alex Ferguson would love to get his hands on as it has been sometime since he had a genuine defensive midfielder with an eye for attack. The last time he brought one into the club it resulted in a Champions League trophy, as Owen Hargreaves was a vital part of the 2007-08 campaign.

However, since then the once world-class Hargreaves has disappeared into an unfortunate nearly career-crippling string of injuries. De Rossi could represent a new era for the United midfield as they lack the type of presence that the Italian could provide.

March saw rumors that a move could possibly happen be squashed by the Roma vice captain's teammate. However, this summer saw the possibility of a move continue to grow after the close season.

His valuation has fluctuated between £14 million and £18 million, and Manchester City even looked to have tried to join in for a chance to best their rivals to the player.

In the long run I just do not see the move happening this season, if ever, but Ferguson would still love to have him at his disposal.

Samir Nasri

Early in June, Manchester United looked to have shot at a steal of a deal for Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri as the young Frenchman voiced his desire to move on from the Emirates after another season without silverware.

Since then his valuation has jumped from around £8 million to around £22 million, which is the last number reportedly to have been offered up by Manchester City for the player.

At the end of June, United was reported to have made a bid of around £20 million for the playmaker, as they look for the next creative midfield maestro to take the squad into the second season of this new decade.

Arsenal could be the fools in the long run for not selling him, as he will be able to leave on a free transfer next season when his value will drop come January and when many would rather wait till he is out of contract to make a move.

Wesley Sneijder

Wesley Sneijder has to be the best midfield prospect to have been listed as on the verge of making a move to Manchester United. His performances since moving to Inter Milan at the beginning of the 2009-10 season have been extraordinary for not only his new club but the Dutch national team.

The midfielder was on top of the world with Inter as they won the Serie A scudetto in 2009-10 and then defeated Bayern Munich to take the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Sneijder was the undisputed midfielder of the season for Inter and was voted as such in the UEFA Champions League as well. He then went on to take four Man of the Match awards in the 2010 World Cup. He also was awarded the Bronze Shoe, Silver Ball and handed a spot on the FIFA World Cup 2010 all-star team.

All that aside Manchester United looked to have it all locked up several weeks ago, but since that time little has proceeded with a move.

The Red Devils could use Sneijder more than almost any world-class midfielder that Ferguson has looked at. If he were to bring his skills to England he would possibly continue to make his way up the ladder as once of the all-time greatest midfielder.