Manchester United are set to overhaul the midfield in 2026, with the list of options beginning to pile up for Ineos.
While Casemiro has been praised for his performance against Liverpool, there remains the acknowledgement that his age should see this be his final season at Manchester United.
Casemiro’s supposed replacement Manuel Ugarte is also not good enough and could find himself departing next summer, with the planned quality of signing being a big upgrade.
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Adam Wharton is one United target, while Carlos Baleba and Elliott Anderson are also on the agenda for the Red Devils in 2026.
However, now Roma’s Manu Kone has emerged as a surprise contender to bolster the position.
Manu Kone in action for Roma.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Manchester United interested in signing Manu Kone in 2026
Manu Kone is a long term United target, however, he was always considered too raw for the Premier League. But having been impressive in Serie A, now United in Focus understands that Kone could be an outside possibility next summer.
This is as United are continuing to establish a midfield shortlist for 2026, with Angelo Stiller and Kone being considered. Now, United in Focus have been told by Graeme Bailey that Kone is a real option having come on leaps and bounds in recent seasons.
“United are busy assessing and putting together their plans for 2026 and midfield is an area we know is somewhere they have major plans for. The club are actively working on this and are dismissing the notion of any shortlist ahead of next summer.
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“Angelo Stiller and Manu Kone are two players that United are already well versed on, they like them both and are keeping close tabs on them. They are both huge talents and there are little doubts that they would be good fits.
“Interesting to note that Kone particularly is playing in a system very similar to one which Ruben Amorim deploys.
“One thing with these two players, neither of them are looking to move in January – they are both fully focused on making the World Cup finals next summer for their respective nations and neither would be willing to risk that with a move in January window.
“But keep an eye on these two, good chance both will be on the move in 2026.”
Signing a midfielder familiar with the demands of the 3-4-3 is a positive and should see Kone fit in quickly.
Manu Kone has the qualities Manchester United need in midfield
Ineos having ‘little doubt’ over Kone’s quality is a sign he could very quickly become a top target for next summer, considering he will be substantially more affordable than Baleba or Wharton.
Kone is the prototype modern defensive midfielder, capable on the ball and off it, which makes him perfect for the midfield requirements Amorim has.
Kone is excellent at picking the ball up in midfield and carrying it through the lines, which is something United have been lacking this season, and is a quality both Baleba and Anderson are excellent at.
The Frenchman would likely cost less than £50m at the very most, and therefore it is even possible he comes as the Ugarte replacement, while Anderson or Wharton could replace Casemiro.
Either way, a midfield overhaul looks on the cards for United this coming year.