Marco Verratti is on the Manchester United wishlist for the January transfer window
One of the biggest topics of transfer discussion at Manchester United this summer has been the search for a defensive midfielder. The club knows that there is a desperate need to strengthen this position, as confidence in the current options continues to waver. The ability of players like Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte has been questioned, and that is why names like Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion), Morten Hjulmand (Sporting CP), and Javi Guerra (Valencia) have been linked. Atalanta’s Ederson, Porto’s João Neves, and Everton’s Amadou Onana have also been linked. The club’s intention is clear, and that is to regain balance and solidity in midfield.
Eyes on Marco Verratti:
Spanish media Fichajes, as relayed by Manchester Evening News, recently claimed that Manchester United are keeping an eye on 32-year-old Marco Verratti. The report suggests the club is monitoring his situation closely, even though he is currently playing in Qatar. There is talk that a move to bring him in suddenly in the January window could be considered to add depth and balance in the midfield of Amorim’s system.
Verratti has long-standing experience at PSG, where he anchored the midfield alongside Vitinha, Danilo Pereira and Ruiz. His passing prowess and ability to retain possession under pressure make him a key player in any possession-based system. In Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation, where the emphasis is on ball control and build-up, a deep-lying playmaker like the 32-year-old could be the heartbeat of the team, but the club need to consider whether, at 32 years of age and after his time in Qatar, the Frenchman will be able to adapt immediately to the intensity and physicality of the Premier League.
So, what should United do?
Marco Verratti is on the Manchester United wishlist for the January transfer window.
Verratti is a deep-lying playmaker, comfortable building play from the back with exceptional passing ability and press resistance
Compared, Casemiro and Verratti are both experienced but have different styles. Casemiro is known for his aggressive tackling and physical presence on the pitch, while Verratti is adept at controlling play and keeping the midfield cohesive through his passing. Verratti’s recent Qatar Stars League stats show he has an 89% passing accuracy and good tackling numbers, but his card count points to a discipline problem.
Casemiro, on the other hand, has an 80% passing accuracy and more successful tackles in the Premier League, but he also has a long list of red and yellow cards to his name. Both midfielders will bring experience to the team, but the difference in their styles will reflect differently in Amorim’s team.
Manchester United’s interest in Verratti is an interesting development, but the club will have to consider whether a short-term solution is better or a long-term investment. Young players like Carlos Baleba, who the club will target again in 2026, could lay the foundation for the future. Similarly, Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand has also been linked, especially at a time when uncertainty looms over Kobbie Mainoo’s future. In this context, bringing in Verratti in January could give the team immediate balance, but players like Baleba and Hjulmand could prove more valuable in the long run. It would be exciting to see Verratti arrive, but the club must choose their path carefully, as repeatedly resorting to temporary solutions could deepen the problem.