Manchester United are now leading the race for Sporting CP star Morten Hjulmand, with the midfielder regarded as a replacement for Casemiro.
Casemiro has managed to win Jamie Carragher back round with his performances this season, with the former Liverpool defender back-pedaling on his comments about the Brazilian's career at the top level being over.
However, fellow Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane was less than impressed by the 34-year-old's performance in the 2-1 defeat against Leeds United on Monday night, with the former midfielder also taking aim at midfield partner Manuel Ugartea.
Keane said: “They weren’t sprinting, United. And the bit at the end was too little too late. It’s a big setback for them. Midfield? Non-existent, the two of them, particularly in the first half, no energy, no quality. Leeds were out of the blocks quickly and it was a fantastic result for Leeds.”
Although the defeat against Leeds is a bitter pill to swallow, the Red Devils remain well-placed to qualify for the Champions League, having built up a seven-point lead on sixth-place Chelsea, who have been in very poor form.
Man Utd surge into lead to sign Morten Hjulmand
As such, INEOS should be in a strong position to attract a top-quality replacement for Casemiro, who will leave when his contract expires this summer, and they have now joined Liverpool as the leaders in the race for Sporting CP star Morten Hjulmand.
Morten Hjulmand for Sporting Lisbon
That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which names the Red Devils as frontrunners for 'Europe's best number 6' alongside their greatest rivals, and it was recently revealed a £34m bid could be accepted by the Portuguese club.
The Danish maestro could be an exciting acquisition for Man United, given that he is held in very high regard by analyst Alex Brice, and he has flourished for Sporting in the Champions League this season, making nine appearances and captaining his side to the quarter-finals.
Roy Keane names Bruno Fernandes among world's "best" midfielders
At 26, Hjulmand is regarded as a top defensive midfielder, and Keane believes Bruno Fernandes is the "best in the world" at picking the right pass at the opposite end of the pitch.
Fernandes already has 17 assists to his name in the Premier League this season, and he is regarded as by far the best-performing player in the top flight, in terms of average FotMob match rating.
Premier League's top performers Club FotMob match rating
Bruno Fernandes Man Utd 8.02
Bruno Guimaraes Newcastle United 7.63
Declan Rice Arsenal 7.62
Erling Haaland Man City 7.60
Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool 7.50
Bukayo Saka Arsenal 7.49
Elliot Anderson Nottingham Forest 7.48
James Garner Everton 7.47
Rodri Man City 7.47
Matheus Nunes Man City 7.46
Italy's Sandro Tonali in action Related
Man Utd lining up move to sign £55m Newcastle star as well as Tonali
The Red Devils are looking to raid their Premier League rivals.