Casemiro’s replacement will be the summer’s marquee signing for Manchester United, but they can round up the squad perfectly by signing an increasingly attainable Manuel Ugarte replacement.
It is basically impossible to replace Casemiro with a like-for-like player, but Elliot Anderson comes the closest.
If Man Utd break the bank for Anderson, then it goes without saying that they won’t buy another marquee midfielder now that Kobbie Mainoo has re-emerged as a star option.
Which means they will need to be smart if they want to replace Manuel Ugarte, which is likely to be the case, and this is where they must buy the perfect replacement, who is increasingly attainable.
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Joao Gomes is the perfect second midfielder for Man Utd
After potentially spending close to £100m on the marquee midfield signing, United will look for a smarter addition who strengthens the depth of the squad.
Enter Joao Gomes, the Wolves midfielder who is leading his team’s resurgence and already helping United without playing for the team.
Gomes is the perfect second midfield addition as the all-action presence at the base, who is the ideal partner for both Mainoo and Anderson (if he joins).
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Even if United sign someone like Adam Wharton or Sandro Tonali, Gomes will be perfect, and will only need adjusting if Carlos Baleba is signed.
He recently stamped his big-match credentials as well with a 71-touch performance as Wolves upset Liverpool 2-1 to give United even more breathing room in the race for Champions League qualification.
With 16 defensive contributions, six passes into the final third, nine recoveries, and 13 ground duels won, Gomes was the personification of an all-action midfielder who excels at everything.
Despite Wolves’ resurgence, they are still likely to be relegated, which makes Gomes increasingly attainable as well.
Casemiro has recommended Bruno Guimaraes to United, but his age means he doesn’t exactly fit Ineos’ template.
Gomes is 25 and another Brazilian whose playing style is in perfect synergy with United’s current and potential marquee players.
He’s the perfect Ugarte replacement.
Perfect time to replace Manuel Ugarte
With Champions League qualification looking likelier with each matchday, the upcoming summer is the perfect time for Ineos to go for broke.
Matheus Cunha thinks Joao Gomes could be as good as Casemiro
“Maybe Casemiro. He is a bit older now, but I put Casemiro’s name there only to show where Joao Gomes could arrive.
“I think Joao has the possibility to arrive. He is very humble, and he works a lot. The good teams come like a gift when you do that.”
Cunha on Gomes in 2024
Players like Ugarte already have the spectre of the Omar Berrada rule hanging over their heads, and it is the right time to cut the cord.
A player like Gomes is a massive transfer opportunity due to Wolves’ impending relegation, and Ugarte’s form, combined with United’s UCL qualification, makes it a perfect storm of events.
They’ll never be in a position of more strength for prospective transfer targets, a player like Gomes won’t come as potentially cheap as he will be this season, and Ugarte still has some transfer value which will only decline further since he clearly is suited to the league.
Ineos need to be ruthless and pounce on this opportunity, like they did with Matheus Cunha, sending Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford on their way.
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