After Casemiro landed at Old Trafford on a €70.65 million deal from Real Madrid, Champions League glory came to an abrupt end. Manchester United are planning to sign two players to replace Casemiro, after he has announced that he will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
Much was expected of the Brazilian legend, given his success at the Bernabéu, but it didn’t happen. Lately, however, there has been a bit of old greatness, the 33-year-old was named the best player on the pitch after Manchester United’s derby win over Manchester City last weekend.
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He will be a natural in the starting line-up later today, Sunday, in the away clash at the Emirates against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Casemiro, who has won the Champions League five times, joined “The Red Devils” in 2022 is wanted in MLS. According to AS, the Los Angeles Galaxy dream of signing Carlos Henrique Casemiro without paying a transfer fee in the summer.
Manchester United were already planning to sign a midfielder this summer, but now want to bring two players to Old Trafford to compensate for Casemiro’s departure.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have been heavily linked with United, but it was expected that the club would only sign one of the talented trio. However, according to talkSPORT, Manchester United are now planning to sign two of the three transfer targets to bolster the midfield options for the next permanent manager.
Michael Carrick was hired as interim boss until the end of the season after Rúben Amorim was sacked at the beginning of this month.
Amorim was keen to sign a new central midfielder last summer, but United decided to conserve resources after spending nearly £200m on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.
Former Sporting manager Amorim also put pressure on United to sign a midfielder in January, and United’s reluctance to do so was one of the reasons why his relationship with the board deteriorated.
The Daily Mail states that Anderson is United’s number one priority as things stand, but it is believed that Nottingham Forest want over £100 million. Anderson has continued to impress despite Forest being dragged into a relegation battle and winning just six of their 22 league games so far.
However, United are not alone in expressing interest in Anderson, with local rivals Manchester City being well-known admirers and able to offer the player a higher salary.
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Manchester United’s ability to sign Anderson is therefore expected to depend on whether Carrick manages to secure the club’s Champions League football for next season.
The Red Devils are in fifth place, one point behind fourth-placed Liverpool, ahead of Sunday’s clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Another option for United is Baleba, whom Amorim was eager to welcome to Manchester United last summer.
The Cameroonian international verbally agreed on a move to the “Theatre of Dreams” and will be just as interested in a summer move to United.
Brighton wanted well over £100 million for the 22-year-old six months ago, but The Daily Mail claims that their sale price has now dropped to around £75 million.
United may decide to bet everything on Wharton, but will not be given free rein to the Crystal Palace star, who is also a target for Liverpool.
Wharton is expected to be another star transfer from Selhurst Park, as Palace have already lost Eberechi Eze and Marc Guéhi, while Jean-Philippe Mateta could still leave before the transfer window closes and manager Oliver Glasner leaves in the summer.
Casemiro’s departure might not have been felt a year ago, but his improvement in form is changing the situation.
Confirming his decision to leave the club, Casemiro said: “I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my life. It’s not time for goodbye; There are many more memories to create over the next four months.
“We still have a lot to fight for together; My full focus will, as always, remain on giving everything I have to help our club succeed.”
United’s interim boss Carrick added: “It’s getting closer to that time of the season with contracts. We work our way through January. There will be conversations when the time is right.
“The announcement for Case was too clear. It was decided before I arrived. The type of personality and character he is shows in his performance. He’s desperate to perform well.”
