Manchester United chiefs have agreed to sign two midfielders following Casemiro's summer exit, with five Premier League players being monitored including Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton
Sandro Tonali has been linked with a move to Manchester United
Sandro Tonali has been linked with a move to Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Manchester United officials have agreed they must 'sign two midfielders' amid Casemiro's anticipated departure this summer and have prepared a back-up plan should Harry Maguire also exit. United, who intend to bolster their squad again in the summer, have outlined plans for four significant additions, it has been claimed
Casemiro, 34, confirmed in January that he will depart United upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season, and his exit is poised to leave the Reds with only two recognised first-team central midfielders in Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo.
United are anticipated to respond with 'club officials in agreement' that the Reds must recruit two players in that position. They have been tracking Premier League midfielders with Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali amongst those on the shortlist, according to The Sun.
The Reds are also pursuing Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Bournemouth's Alex Scott.
Wharton is eager to join a Champions League club and United currently sit third in the table, six points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea in the battle for a place in Europe's premier competition.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are the current favourites to secure Anderson, and it's understood that United might struggle to rival the wages that their closest rivals are prepared to offer him.
United had targeted Cameroon international Baleba last summer, but he has struggled during a disappointing campaign at Brighton and was absent from the squad as they secured a 1-0 victory at Sunderland on Saturday.
Scott has impressed during his spell at Bournemouth this season, with reports suggesting that Tottenham and Manchester City are also monitoring the 22-year-old England international.
Replacing Casemiro could prove challenging, with the Brazilian excelling at the core of United's midfield currently and netting his seventh goal of the campaign in Sunday's 3-1 win against Aston Villa.
Casemiro celebrates after scoring for Manchester United against Aston Villa
Casemiro celebrates after scoring for Manchester United against Aston Villa(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
United supporters chanted, 'One more year, one more year Casemiro,' after the five-time Champions League winner put the Reds ahead, and he acknowledged them by pinching and grasping the club's badge.
However, despite that appeal from the Reds faithful, interim head coach Michael Carrick virtually ruled out the prospect of Casemiro signing fresh terms and staying at United beyond his existing contract.
Carrick said: "The fact that it was decided makes things a little bit easier and everyone understands the situation, really. The impact he has had has been terrific, certainly, since I've been here and working with him. And he's influence within the team and big moments and goals.
"Players come and go. Some are bigger, some are maybe more important than others at different times. But I don't think it's ever really about replacing like for like. I think you can go in different directions.
"You understand what the balance of the squad will need, whether that's on the pitch, off the pitch, leadership, positionally. There's all sorts of different things going into it. Case has done some really, really good things, and certainly since I've been here, he's been an absolute pleasure to work with."
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire(Image: Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Alongside seeking midfield reinforcements, United are examining the centre-back market should the club be unable to secure a contract extension for Harry Maguire. The 33-year-old England international is entering the final three months of his deal but has featured in every match since Carrick's appointment in mid-January - and the club are reported to be keen on retaining him.
A new contract is under discussion, though Maguire will probably need to accept reduced terms on his £180,000-per-week salary, whilst the defender is believed to be seeking guarantees regarding the contract's duration.
Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt have suffered persistent fitness problems throughout the campaign, forcing Maguire to step in and cover during the past nine fixtures following Carrick's arrival. Maguire has excelled, with the former Leicester defender set to secure an England squad recall for the first time in 18 months this month.
United are also considering the addition of a new left-wing player in the summer transfer window. Patrick Dorgu had been excelling in a more forward position until he sustained a long-term injury during the 3-2 victory over Arsenal in January, whilst Matheus Cunha has started the last seven matches on the left wing.
Although Dorgu is primarily seen as a left-back, United may now perceive him as a winger, which could prompt them to seek a left-sided defender instead, especially with Luke Shaw's contract due to expire next summer.
A reserve goalkeeper is also on United's radar, with Senne Lammens securing his place as the club's first-choice keeper, Altay Bayindir serving as the second choice in recent months, and Andre Onana spending the season on loan at Trabzonspor.
HEREHEREHEREHERE.