The merits of forking out £70m on an ageing Casemiro remain up for debate, although it's hard to argue that the Brazilian has been anything but an impactful signing at Manchester United.
Signed after a dismal start to 2022/23, the ex-Real Madrid hero - excluding a brief wobble under Erik ten Hag - has been the centre-piece of this side since then, notably starting 28 Premier League games already this season.
With seven goals to his name, after netting five last term, the 34-year-old has now scored more goals since the start of 2024/25 than Joshua Zirkzee has in that same time period, the Dutch striker firing in only nine goals across his two-season stay at Old Trafford.
Manchester United's Casemiro reacts
A force in both boxes, Casemiro will take some replacing this summer, be it in the form of a marquee, statement signing, or the rise of an exciting academy sensation.
Man Utd's internal options to replace Casemiro
All the recent talk would suggest that INEOS are set to dip into the market for the signing of a ready-made midfielder, although none of their reported targets are likely to come cheap, thus posing something of a problem if the club are to pursue at least two new reinforcements ahead of next season.
Anderson vs Tonali - 25/26 PL stats
Anderson
31
2
2
86%
1.5
6
2.9
1.1
55%
18.0
The leading options right now are believed to be that of Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali, although both of those Premier League stars could fetch upwards of £100m, representing a club-record deal as far as United are concerned.
If INEOS and Jason Wilcox were to look a little closer to him, there is, of course, young Kobbie Mainoo who could slot in to that deep-lying Casemiro role, with the Englishman notably sparkling as a 'number six' on his first Premier League start away at Everton in November 2023.
Equally too, hopes are high for the teenage pairing of Jack and Tyler Fletcher, with the latter of Darren's sons more suited to a deeper midfield berth, having been a fixture of the matchday squad under Michael Carrick in recent weeks.
Speaking of Carrick, the United hero only recently named Carrington sensation, Jim Thwaites, in his 25-man squad for the trip to Dublin this week, with the 18-year-old free-kick specialist potentially the next Mainoo-style superstar in the making.
Jim-Thwaites-Man-Utd-academy
Equally too, the next permanent coach may wish to have a closer look at 2024 arrival, Sekou Kone, during pre-season, with the 20-year-old still waiting to make his senior debut for the club amid a stop-start 2025/26 due to injury.
The Malian starlet is now out on loan at Swiss side Lausanne, part of the INEOS group, although he isn't the out-on-loan midfielder who is making the biggest splash right now.
Man Utd may already have the next Casemiro out on loan
Far too many of United's loan moves often fail to work out, although there have been a handful of notable success stories, with Harry Amass starring for a struggling Sheffield Wednesday side in the first half of the campaign, while goalkeeper Radek Vitek has been a mainstay for Bristol City in the Championship.
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali Related
[Man Utd burst into race to sign "Pogba-esque" Tonali upgrade](https://www.footballfancast.com/huge-tonali-upgrade-man-utd-burst-into-race-to-sign-pogba-esque-thuram/ "Man Utd burst into race to sign "Pogba-esque" Tonali upgrade")
Manchester United have set thier sights on a move for one big-money talent this summer.
It is still early days, although another player now entering the successful pile is 18-year-old, Jacob Devaney, with the Republic of Ireland youth star having joined St Mirren on a short-term deal back in January.
The versatile youngster can operate as a centre-back or right-back, yet has typically been deployed as a 'number six' at both academy level and now senior level, notably scoring and assisting six goals in his 40 games for United's U21 side.
That included a stunning solo goal earlier this season against Notts County in the EFL Trophy, with the teenager driving forward from his own half before rounding things off with a composed finish.
Now up in Scotland in the Premiership, Devaney is earning rave reviews despite only making nine appearances for the Buddies so far, having scored on just his second start against Airdrieonians in the Scottish Cup.
He has also now started each of the last three games, two of which have ended in victory, looking particularly assured in the latest 2-0 win over Aberdeen.
Operating in that Casemiro-esque deep-lying berth, Devaney showed all the facets to his game needed to be a potential successor to the Brazil skipper back at Old Trafford.
casemiro-man-utd
Indeed, he dictated proceedings with 82 touches and a solid pass accuracy rate of 84%, having also laid on one key pass and created one 'big chance', all while winning 100% of his tackles in that 90-minute outing.
Across his seven league appearances in general so far, the Barnsley-born gem has averaged 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game, recovered the ball five times per game and won 63% of his ground duels.
For comparison, Casemiro is averaging 3.2 tackles and interceptions, four ball recoveries and 53% of his ground duels in the Premier League this term.
Making that step up to England's top-flight is a real leap, although considering the exorbitant price tag that would be needed to land either Tonali or Anderson, INEOS might want to use the summer as a chance to look at the likes of Devaney instead.
Jacob-Devaney-St-Mirren
United's U21 captain very much looks like Casemiro's successor in waiting.
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Man Utd have agreed to sign a midfielder who can save them millions on Tonali
Manchester United have been strongly linked with Sandro Tonali in recent weeks.