Manchester United’s summer transfer plans for the midfield are already advancing but replacing Casemiro looks a challenge for Ineos.
While the 2026 summer transfer window doesn’t actually open until next month, Manchester United are already moving forward with deals to strengthen the midfield.
United are closing in on signing Ederson from Atalanta, with the Brazilian looking more and more likely to be the first arrival of the Michael Carrick era.
Meanwhile, United are also trying to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, with relegation seeing him valued to £50m.
But neither would be upgrades on Casemiro in one very specific aspect.
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Elliot Anderson and Alex Scott better Casemiro for key Michael Carrick demand
Casemiro’s exit from Manchester United creates a big hole in the middle of the pitch for Ineos to fill this summer.
The Brazilian leaving means United will have to change the way they play, but Carrick will still be looking for fast breaks, and a midfielder who can win the ball back and then progress play is high on the agenda.
Well according to data from Sky Sports, Casemiro has been excellent at this for United this season, with the three players better all being linked with United at some stage.
Expected goals created after interceptions
- 1st – Elliot Anderson: 9.63
- 2nd – Yehor Yarmoliuk: 8.77
- 3rd – Alex Scott: 8.20
- 4th – Casemiro: 7.98
- 5th – Jarrod Bowen: 7.92
Anderson is United’s dream summer signing and he is miles ahead in the league, ticking this box for Carrick in abundance, creating an excellent midfield pairing with Kobbie Mainoo.
Along with Anderson, United had been briefly linked with Yarmoliuk earlier this season under Ruben Amorim, although a return for him seems unlikely.
In third place, United have a serious interest in Scott, with the Bournemouth midfielder being scouted on multiple occasions.
All three would suit United and be tidy replacements for the legendary Brazilian.
How would YOU spend Man United’s rumoured £250m transfer budget?💰
Would you go big on the midfield, or should United spread out the budget?
Dynamism and interchangeability key for Manchester United’s midfield
With the midfield plans this summer, it seems clear that United want to sign midfielders who can play with eachother in different combinations.
Mainoo and Ederson, Ederson and Fernandes, and Fernandes and Mainoo are all strong pairings which could feasibly play across competitions, with the third midfield signing also seeming to fit this trend.
This dynamic midfield, capable at doing everything across the pitch is exactly what Carrick wants.
United could see the midfield signings overhauled fairly quickly this summer, and the rumoured moves are absolutely what the club needed to do this summer.
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