Man Utd urged to replace Casemiro with ‘outstanding’ EPL star: “Difficult to see anyone else” | OneFootball

Manchester United are searching the market for a holding midfielder who can take over from Casemiro, and Alan Smith argues that Adam Wharton is the best available choice.

The Red Devils will ring the changes in the middle of the park next summer. The club is already operating with limited options in midfield, while Casemiro has already announced his departure at the end of the season.

Therefore, United are expected to make at least a couple of new signings in midfield, but the identity of the new arrivals remains shrouded in mystery.

Alan Smith explains why Man Utd need Adam Wharton

In recent months, several reliable sources have identified Elliot Anderson as the ultimate first target for Jason Wilcox, while Carlos Baleba and Wharton are right behind the Nottingham Forest star on the shortlist.

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, Smith insists that Wharton is the most natural fit, as the Crystal Palace midfielder is capable of anchoring the midfield from a deep role.

“I could see him [Wharton] as a natural replacement,” said the former Man Utd and Leeds star in his interview with Metro.

“I don’t think Kobbie Mainoo at this stage would be right, because when you’re in that position, you have to be so disciplined to just sit there and people think it’s easy, but it’s not. 

“But I think Adam Wharton, playing in one of the deeper positions, would probably be more suitable for that than Kobbie Mainoo. Other than Wharton, it’s difficult to see anybody else as a standout realistically at this moment in time.

“Obviously, age-wise, the youthfulness of the team and longevity he fits the bill. He’s played in Europe, played for England, he’s getting that experience, being able to do that. So I feel like he’d be a good candidate to be able to go in there and play.”

What the stats reveal about Wharton & other Man Utd targets

While Anderson is considered a box-to-box midfielder who could vie with Mainoo for the No.8 role, Wharton is more suited to the No.6 position, albeit he represents a slightly different profile compared to Casemiro.

The 22-year-old, who was hailed by Declam Rice as ‘outstanding’, possesses a natural ability to bring the ball out and pick up a teammate in the final third with a sublime vertical play.

(Stats via DataMB)

Although he’s not a slouch at tackling, Wharton might not be able to provide the same level of defensive coverage that Casemiro brings to the table.

Therefore, if the next Man Utd permanent manager is seeking a traditional holding midfielder whose main expertise is to win back possession, Baleba would be the more fitting choice, albeit the Cameroonian’s attacking passing stats pale in comparison to Wharton’s.