Manchester United are set for an exciting summer rebuild in midfield following the departure of Casemiro
Casemiro waves
Casemiro is leaving Manchester United this summer(Image: PA)
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Manchester United’s announcement that Casemiro will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season is a clear sign that the club are focused on the summer transfer window.
It was revealed this week that the Brazilian veteran, 33, will leave this summer at the end of his contract after four seasons with the club. United opted not to renew the five-time Champions League winner’s staggering £350,000-a-week contract, having signed him in August 2022 when Erik ten Hag was in charge.
Casemiro has played 146 games and scored 21 goals for United to date, with Michael Carrick’s eventual managerial successor losing an experienced voice in the dressing room. Yet, his departure will provide an opportunity for a much-needed midfield rebuild given the space it frees up on United’s wage bill.
United chiefs were widely reported to be prioritising midfield signings this summer even before Casemiro’s announcement. Sources suggest they will not be active in January, meaning they will have between £100-150million to spend come May, which could rise if they decide to cash in on Bruno Fernandes, who was the subject of a £100m bid from Saudi Arabia last summer.
For argument's sake, The Manchester Evening News will assume United will finally sell Fernandes as they look to completely revamp their midfield with three signings. The club already have a list of names to replace both Casemiro and the Portuguese, which includes Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Joao Gomes and Alex Scott.
At the base of midfield, there are two options to succeed Casemiro in Wharton, 21, and Baleba, 22. Brighton’s Baleba was a well-known target for United last summer. The club explored the conditions of a deal but the move didn’t materialise.
Another top target is Crystal Palace’s Wharton, who could become the latest player to want to jump ship from the south London club, who are aware of the England international's desire to play Champions League football.
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
Elliot Anderson [L] and Adam Wharton [R] would be two top signings for United(Image: 2025 the FA)
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With Wharton costing upwards of £60m and more than £100m being required to convince Brighton to sell Baleba, the former appears to be the more shrewd choice, especially given Baleba’s disappointing season so far. The physically imposing Cameroonian would be more of a like-for-like replacement for Casemiro but Wharton’s Carrick-like presence in midfield would mark an evolution in the position for United.
The question of who would partner Wharton is trickier given United already have academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo at their disposal. Yet, there is one standout player whose performances this season indicate the club must sign him at all cost - Nottingham Forest’s Anderson.
Forest have no intention of selling the England international, 23, and competition from Premier League rivals would certainly drive up Anderson’s price, which is being reported as around £75m-£100m. But the all-action midfielder would be worth every penny as a statement signing and one who would instantly elevate the side.
Should that deal fall through, however, Wolves’ Gomes - valued at £35m-45m - would be an excellent back-up. The Reds have been tracking the Wolves star since the summer as they look to improve their engine room.
That leaves the attacking-midfield position left vacant by Fernandes’ hypothetical exit. Matheus Cunha would be the favourite out of the current crop to take on the role as chief creator, though Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has recently been named as an audacious potential signing.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between FC Bayern München and Chelsea FC at Football Arena Munich on September 17, 2025 in Munich, Germany
Cole Palmer is reportedly homesick(Image: Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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United fan and former Manchester City player Palmer has become one of the best players in the league since his move to Chelsea in 2023 but The Sun claim the playmaker is ‘homesick’ in London and could be interested in moving close to his home, Manchester.
That certainly plays into United’s hands, with Palmer’s wages also not believed to be an issue. However, the 23-year-old could cost a Premier League record fee close to the £150m mark, making his signing unrealistic.
Instead, Cunha would likely step into Fernandes’ shoes in the case of his departure, with United able to sign Gomes from Wolves as a third midfield reinforcement. That could leave United’s midfield looking like this at the start of the 2026/27 season:
Starters: Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Matheus Cunha.
Depth options: Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Joao Gomes.