Casemiro’s heir: Why Sandro Tonali, not Guimaraes, is the obvious Man United midfield signing | OneFootball

Manchester United are targeting Newcastle United’s two most reliable midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.

Pulling off that double St James’ Park raid would undoubtedly give United the finest engine room not just in England, but across Europe.

However, getting both over the line remains highly unlikely. What is certain, though, is that Newcastle simply cannot allow two of their most reliable midfielders to leave in the same window, let alone to a direct rival.

At best, United can realistically sign only one. And if INEOS are wise, Tonali is the man they should be pushing hardest for.

Why Tonali

Compared to Guimaraes, the Italian is far superior physically and defensively. As the stats highlighted below illustrate, his duel percentage is significantly higher, and he ranks stronger in both possession won and progressive carries.

Those numbers reveal a combative, well-rounded midfielder, one who offers genuine security and structure in the middle of the park.

Sandro Tonali, who Paul Scholes thinks is better than Declan Rice, is clearly the midfielder who would not mind sitting deep, winning duels, and keeping the team compact, given that his greatest strengths lie in establishing control and stability.

For a side looking to replace one of the finest number sixes in the world in Casemiro, the Italian fits that profile to a tee, anchoring the midfield, shielding the defence, and in doing so, freeing Kobbie Mainoo to express his creativity further forward.

Sandro Tonali versus Bruno Guimaraes (Data MB stats before Newcastle vs Man United)

That said, as the table above illustrates, Guimaraes tells a rather different story.

Guimaraes is a Mainoo, not Casemiro

While capable of playing as a six, he is far more creative and progressive in the final third. He registers more key passes and progressive passes than Tonali, enjoys a higher success rate with forward passes, and is generally more involved in progressive play.

Defensively, however, in duels and ball recovery, he simply does not match Tonali’s numbers.

Within this United setup, therefore, Guimaraes would arguably function better as a Mainoo alternative rather than a Casemiro one. He is a brilliant number eight, not a six, even if Casemiro himself believes the Brazilian would be his ideal replacement.

Furthermore, between the two Newcastle stars, Tonali, who is reportedly keen on a move, could more readily force a transfer. Guimaraes, a fans’ favourite and club captain, remains far less certain to leave Tyneside.

An easy decision

So, if the 20-time English champions are signing a Casemiro replacement from Newcastle United, Tonali is unquestionably the answer. INEOS cannot afford to get this wrong.

It barely needs stating just how much rides on finding the right successor to the Brazilian veteran. Ultimately, whether United nail or fluff the Casemiro replacement could make or break their ambitions of building a truly world-class midfield.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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