Report: Man United interested in potential move to sign Nottingham Forest star | OneFootball

Manchester United Transfer News: Ibrahim Sangare Emerges as Casemiro Successor

Manchester United are once again peering into the Premier League marketplace, searching for steel, structure and reliability. With Casemiro set to depart Old Trafford at the end of his contract, attention has turned towards Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare. According to GIVEMESPORT sources, United have been impressed by the Ivory Coast international as they assess replacements.

There is method in this pursuit. United want two experienced midfielders this summer, players who understand the rhythms and demands of English football. The swift impact of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo after their respective moves has reinforced the value of domestic adaptation. Premier League know how carries weight in recruitment meetings.

Midfield Shortlist Taking Shape

Senior correspondent Ben Jacobs has revealed that United have narrowed their shortlist from 8-12 names down to a handful. Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Sandro Tonali and Angelo Stiller are all under consideration.

Now, Sangare joins that conversation.

At 6 ft 3, he offers something distinct. Where others on the list blend mobility with progression, Sangare represents anchorage. He is the sort of midfielder who positions himself between opposition and defence, screening, tackling and resetting the tempo. 

Profile Suited to Defensive Stability

“You know what you’re going to get from Sangare, and that is a combative player who is going to sit in front of the defence and act as a barrier.” That clarity of function may appeal to a United side that has occasionally lacked midfield equilibrium.

Since returning from AFCON, the 28-year-old has completed the full 90 minutes in Forest’s previous six Premier League fixtures. Durability matters. Availability, as managers often say, can be the most valuable attribute.

Yet recruitment is rarely straightforward. Sangare turns 29 later this year, which may prompt questions about long term planning. United are balancing immediate stability with future growth. Some alternatives on their shortlist are younger and carry valuations touching £100m. In that context, Sangare may represent a more pragmatic investment.

Strategic Summer Ahead

Replacing Casemiro is not merely about finding a similar body type. It is about recalibrating identity in midfield. United appear intent on blending Premier League experience with physical authority.

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If Sangare is deemed the right fit, it would signal a desire for security first, expression second. In a league defined by transitions and intensity, that calculation may prove wise.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, this report feels grounded in realism. Casemiro’s departure leaves a vacuum in leadership and defensive assurance. Sangare may not be glamorous, but he addresses a need that has been evident in too many open games.

Fans will debate his age. At soon to be 29, he is not a long term project. Yet United have erred before by prioritising potential over balance. There is value in a midfielder who understands positioning, who relishes tackles, who brings calm when matches threaten to unravel.

A curious supporter might ask whether Sangare can cope with the expectations of Old Trafford, where scrutiny magnifies every misplaced pass. But the Premier League track record reduces risk. Six consecutive 90 minute performances post AFCON suggest resilience.

If the fee is sensible and paired with a younger, progressive midfielder, this could represent smart squad building. It may not excite headline writers, but it could steady a side that has too often looked stretched. In modern recruitment, sometimes the right move is the solid one.