Manchester United will lose Casemiro at the end of the season. It will not be easy to replace the 34-year-old, but he is set to depart Old Trafford upon the expiration of his contract in June, four years after first switching to Manchester from Real Madrid.
Casemiro-Ugarte-Man-Utd
He has been an excellent servant to the club, too, making 153 appearances so far and becoming a rich source of goals, too.
The Brazilian legend has bagged 23 times and assisted 14, including a strike in the Carabao Cup final, which was one of two trophies he won at Old Trafford.
Now, United have the tough task of replacing the five-time Champions League winner, with Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, two players who they could look to sign.
Why United want to sign Anderson or Wharton
It seems like every big club in the Premier League wants to sign England duo Anderson and Wharton this summer. The Athletic reported in February that both of the Three Lions internationals are on United’s shopping list this summer.
Anderson Wharton
It is easy to see what they’d bring to the club, too. Both players possess high levels of technical ability, which would certainly enhance the quality of the Red Devils' midfield.
United legend Paul Scholes said he thinks “it's close between” the pair of them, ability-wise, waxing lyrical about both players during a podcast for The Good, The Bad and The Football.
Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton reacts after being sent off
This term, the midfielders have put in some huge contributions for their respective sides. Crystal Palace star Wharton has been a key man in Oliver Glasner’s pivot this term, playing 38 games in defensive midfield and chipping in with seven assists.
As for Anderson, he’s been afforded more of a license to play in advanced positions for Nottingham Forest. Contributing to five goals and assists in 37 appearances, he’s been a constant in a season of real turbulence at the City Ground.
Elliot Anderson for Nottingham Forest
Yet, it may be the case that United turn to neither midfield, and instead look to an academy graduate as Casemiro’s replacement.
United’s in-house Casemiro replacement
If reports are to be believed, then each of the England stars could cost United in the region of £100m. They certainly won’t come cheap, and in a summer where multiple new signings must be made, United need to make their transfer funds last.
That might be why Kobbie Mainoo is viewed as the perfect Casemiro replacement. At just 20 years of age, he is once again the heartbeat of United’s midfield, with Michael Carrick reinstating him to the side after Ruben Amorim’s bizarre decision to turn him into an outcast.
Mainoo
Described as a “£100m-plus footballer” by United fan and writer Alex Turk, Mainoo’s ability has shone through this season.
He’s played all eight games under the former United midfielder so far, showing supreme levels of technical quality himself.
Two of his standout performances in that time have come against Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham. Against the Lilywhites, he had a 94% pass accuracy, won eight duels and completed two dribbles.
In the clash with the Cottagers, he had 74 touches and made four ball recoveries.
Mainoo vs. Spurs & Fulham
Stat
Touches
Pass accuracy
Key passes
Duels won
Ball recoveries
Stats from Sofascore
Mainoo, as a midfielder, isn’t too similar to Casemiro, excelling in small spaces unlike the Brazilian. Yet, he is the man United might look to build their midfield around in the coming seasons. The ability he has on the ball is second to none, and he works his socks off without possession, too.
United might be about to spend £100m on two of England’s best midfield talents, but what is the need, when another of the finest is already at the club? One of the best Carrington graduates in recent years, Mainoo will be a mainstay for years to come, especially if this sort of form continues.
Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo
He could be about to save United hundreds of millions on their midfield rebuild. The answer to their Casemiro placement, in the sense of having a midfielder to build around, lies in-house, in the form of the special Mainoo.
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