Manchester United's midfield is going to look a lot different at the start of next season. The Red Devils' number 18, Casemiro, will leave the club at the end of the current season, with his contract set to expire in the summer.
It means that United will need to buy a new midfielder to partner Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park. Yet, the Brazilian’s departure will leave more than just a hole in midfield next to the Carrington starlet.
His leadership and experience will be tough to replace, and adds to the onus on Bruno Fernandes in that sense.
Casemiro-Ugarte-Man-Utd
Overall, the signing of Casemiro would surely be considered a success.
Why Casemiro has been a success at United
The money United paid to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid, which was £70m in total, and the large wages he has earned at Old Trafford, will always be a sticking point with this deal.
Yet, there is a strong case to be made for the fact that he has been a success at the club.
Casemiro
The two obvious reasons for that were the trophies Casemiro lifted as a United player. He lifted the Carabao Cup in 2022/23, his first campaign at the club, scoring in the final against Newcastle United.
Despite missing the final, he also helped United win the FA Cup the following season.
In the 147 games he’s played for United, the 82-cap Brazilian has been a real source of goals. He has 21 to his name in that famous Red shirt, assisting 13 too. The threat Casemiro offers from set-pieces has been a real benefit.
United interim head coach Michael Carrick praised “the type of personality, the character that he is” for the club, another indicator of this being a successful deal. His departure in that sense will certainly be felt, as will the class and experience he brings on the pitch.
Manchester United's Casemiro reacts
However, there is a young midfelder, soon to arrive at Old Trafford, who could be the perfect replacement.
United have already signed Casemiro's replacement
There are some talented young midfielders at Old Trafford. Mainoo, of course, is one, and there are more breaking through. Jack Fletcher has made his first-team debut this season, and Sekou Kone is another highly-rated midfielder.
In July, the Red Devils will add to that list when their deal for Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco goes through. It was agreed last September that he would move to Old Trafford from Fortaleza CEIF. He will join in July when he turns 18.
The 17-year-old might be something of an unknown quantity to a lot of United fans. He has little first-team experience, but, to put into context just how talented he is, was described by Fabrizio Romano as the “new Caicedo.”
There are certainly similarities between the Chelsea superstar and United’s new signing. Both have been plucked from relative obscurity in South American football and are combative defensive midfielders.
They’ve also ended up at two of England's biggest clubs, via Brighton and Hove Albion in Caicedo’s case. That is a testament to their ability, too.
caicedo
Orozco has showcased his skills on the world stage for Colombia under-17s. He’s been to two tournaments, showing excellent skills off the ball, with 3.4 tackles and interceptions on average per game in the U17 CONMEBOL Championship.
In the U17 World Cup, the teenager completed 6.3 long balls per 90 minutes, showing excellent progression.
Orozco for Colombia U17s
Stat (per 90)
Passes completed
Long passes completed
Key passes
tackles and interceptions
Stats from Sofascore
Stepping into Casemiro’s shoes will not be easy for the 17-year-old. He obviously can’t bring the sort of experience the Brazilian added to the centre of the park, but he certainly has the talent to bring quality to United’s midfield.
In the long term, though, he could be the ideal Casemiro replacement. He’s a combative midfielder who can sit in front of the backline and progress play forward. United would love for Orozco to become the player to replace their number 18.
Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo Related
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