Online Reporter
MANCHESTER UNITED were already looking at signing a big-name midfielder this summer before Casemiro confirmed his decision to leave the club.
The five-time Champions League winner will not stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of his contract in June. United’s search for a replacement was ongoing last year after Ruben Amorim’s struggles to balance his side.
Although Michael Carrick has offset that by returning Bruno Fernandes to a more natural No10 position and bringing Kobbie Mainoo back from the cold, Casemiro will still leave a hole.
The importance of strengthening United’s spine, regardless of who the new permanent manager ends up being, is lost on nobody.
United will likely also need to upgrade and restock at the back but given Manuel Urgate’s struggles. And there are no shortage of options on the market.
United were keen to add Brighton’s Carlos Baleba last summer and have held an interest in Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson for a while as well.
Adam Wharton is another to consider as he looks for a step up from Crystal Palace.
The latest player to be linked is Sandro Tonali.
Newcastle’s £55million man was offered to Arsenal on deadline day of the January transfer window. He is thought to be growing restless in the north-east with Newcastle increasingly unlikely to get back into the Champions League next season. – The Sun
Bongani Ndlovu