As Manchester United come to terms with the departure of Casemiro, another reality could soon be about to hit the club's transfer chiefs in the near future
Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro of Manchester United look dejected after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025 in Manchester, England
Casemiro will leave Manchester United at the end of the season(Image: 2025 James Gill - Danehouse)
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Few transfers divided Manchester United fans more than the arrival of Casemiro.
Nearly four years after his £60million move from Real Madrid, in a deal which saw him earn north of £300,000-per-week, the Reds confirmed Casemiro will depart the club at the end of his contract this summer. It's a move which will save the next permanent United manager over £15m on the wage bill, but it also means an area United are already low on options will be even more scant.
When it gets to July 1, United may well only have Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes in central midfield, with Manuel Ugarte also being heavily linked with a January transfer. With Fernandes' future also seemingly uncertain. United may need to replicate the £200m plus outlay, they spent on their attackers, on their midfield.
Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest ace Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton have all been linked to Old Trafford. Combined, they could set United back around £235m, assuming United want to target all of them.
Given the lack of depth in midfield, they may just have to. They will surely be hoping Forest lose their relegation battle in the hope Anderson's purported £100m transfer fee will be reduced.
The same figure was also placed on top of Baleba's head, while Wharton could reportedly be available for around £65m. Having also come close to losing Fernandes to Saudi Arabia last summer, United should brace themselves for more interest in the captain.
The Portuguese midfielder has already made it clear he does not want to make a decision on his United future until after the World Cup. It's also understood United are happy for Fernandes to make the final decision about his next move.
Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton of England interact as they are substituted during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between England and Serbia at Wembley Stadium on November 13, 2025 in London, England
Anderson and Wharton have both been linked with United(Image: 2025 the FA)
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With United binning the brittle 3-4-3 system Ruben Amorim preferred, there will be a need for more midfielders if the next manager chooses to deploy a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. If Fernandes decides to call time on his spell at United, the next boss would surely need another creative midfielder.
Mason Mount can fill this role, but the ex-Chelsea midfielder's injury record would likely put off any new boss from playing him week-in-week-out. Matheus Cunha can also play behind the striker, but the Brazilian is often preferred as a centre-forward, with Benjamin Sesko struggling for consistency.
Mainoo has played as a No.10 in the past, but his outstanding display in the victory over Manchester City suggests his future will be in front of the back four. United will at least breathe a sigh of relief Mainoo is back on side, after he was so ruthlessly frozen out by Amorim.
Sky Sports report that United are ready to open new contract talks with Mainoo, who was linked with Chelsea last summer. This will come as good news to everyone affiliated with United, given how close he looked to an exit under Amorim.
Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United running during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Mainoo looks like he is back in United's future(Image: 2026 Allstar)
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United's situation at centre-midfield is unfortunately obvious for all to see, which will likely result in other clubs applying the so-called 'United tax' on transfer demands to even greater effect. It also highlights how much United need temporary boss Michael Carrick to drag the club into the Champions League qualification places.
United's midfield needs are glaring and they will not be cheap to fix. The prize money for a top four finish has surely never been needed more than it is now.