Five midfield targets Man Utd could pursue after Casemiro departure | OneFootball

Manchester United will part ways with star midfielder Casemiro at the end of the current campaign, creating a gaping hole in the squad.

Despite his occasional ups and downs since joining the club from Real Madrid in 2022, the 33-year-old has become one of the fan favourites at Old Trafford.

United paid Los Merengues a whopping £60 million to sign the five-time Champions League winner, while handing him an eye-watering £350,000-a-week contract.

However, it paid off as Casemiro helped the Red Devils lift the 2023 League Cup trophy with a match-winning performance before leading them to the 2024 FA Cup triumph.

Casemiro’s tenacity and combative nature, combined with a knack for scoring decisive goals, have turned him into a cornerstone of Man Utd’s midfield in recent seasons.

Unfortunately, the time has come for the Brazil captain to wave goodbye to the Theatre of Dreams, with the player announcing his departure at the end of the season.

With the former Madrid stalwart on his way out, it’s up to the club to find a suitable successor, a challenge made even tougher by the pressure of securing a top-four finish.

We look at five potential replacements for the Old Trafford faithful’s cult hero.

Ederson

Despite Atalanta’s notable downfall in the wake of Gian Piero Gasperini’s departure, Ederson remains one of the most highly rated midfielders in Serie A.

Inter Milan had tried to lure him away from Bergamo last summer but to no avail, as La Dea’s £55m asking price blew the Nerazzurri out of the water, opening the door for a potential Premier League move.

The 26-year-old is at his peak powers, but it’s questionable whether he would be a fitting candidate to fill Casemiro’s shoes despite their shared nationality and similar styles of play.

Even the bookmakers view the former Salernitana man as an outsider in the race to replace the Brazilian veteran in Manchester.

Adam Wharton

Adam Wharton is one of the most sought-after midfielders on the market, with a queue of clubs eager to acquire his services.

Priced at 15/2 to join Man Utd in the summer, Wharton has generated plenty of interest, as Madrid and Liverpool are also hot on his trail, with Tottenham Hotspur lurking in the shadows.

The 21-year-old has become famous for his tactical intelligence and elegance, and there’s no doubt that he would be an immediate upgrade on United’s current midfield options.

Palace could be inclined to let him leave for a reported fee of £65m.

Elliot Anderson

Nottingham Forest’s first European season in the 21st century has plunged the club’s Premier League campaign into chaos.

However, Elliot Anderson remains a rare shining light, impressing with his energy, technical quality and willingness to take responsibility in midfield.

Anderson is already an established Premier League star and is likely to play a prominent role for England at the 2026 World Cup after becoming a first-team regular.

Meanwhile, several English clubs have taken note of his progress, with Chelsea and Manchester City reportedly set to rival Man Utd for his services.

The former Newcastle United ace won’t come cheap, with Forest slapping a prohibitive £100m price tag on their most prized asset.

James Garner

Casemiro’s exit could lure James Garner back to his boyhood club after an impressive four-year stint at Everton, where he has established himself as an elite midfielder.

While the Toffees are desperate to tie the 24-year-old down to a new long-term contract, a call from Man Utd could throw a spanner in the works.

Aston Villa and Newcastle are also interested in the Englishman, who has made 22 league appearances for David Moyes’ side this season, racking up two goals and three assists.

Eduardo Camavinga

Perhaps the most exciting name on United’s shortlist is that of Eduardo Camavinga, who could be counting his final months at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Camavinga is ready to pack his bags, with Chelsea emerging as his potential destination due to Madrid’s alleged interest in Enzo Fernandez, via El Nacional.

However, Man Utd could spoil the Blues’ hopes of including the Frenchman in a high-profile swap deal now that they desperately need a long-term solution in the middle of the park. 

Article republished with permission from OldTraffordFaithful.com.