Top five defensive midfielders who can replace Casemiro at Manchester United

Published at :May 16, 2024 at 5:19 PM

Modified at :May 16, 2024 at 5:19 PM

(Courtesy : Manchester United)

The Red Devils will use the summer to replace the five-time UCL winner

Manchester United came out on top against Newcastle United in a five-goal thriller recently. The Red Devils won the match 3-2 at Old Trafford. The scorers on the night were Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund. If we have a look closely all three are pretty young and none of them is aged above 21 let alone 30.

Although this game has shown what United can do with young players, we all know how bad of a season they had throughout under Erik ten Hag. With INEOS Group Limited chairman Jim Ratcliffe pulling the strings of the football operations at United, the summer is in for many changes. Their idea is to sign rising stars rather than costly proven players who are most likely going to decline rather than improve.

One of the underperforming players this season has been the five-time UEFA Champions League-winning defensive midfielder Casemiro. The 32-year-old is seemingly past his prime and is on the way to a decline. The INEOS won’t hesitate in offloading him and freeing up a reported £350,000 per week room on the wage bill as well this summer.

5. Amadou Onana (Everton FC)

Everton FC narrowly escaped relegation last season and again this season they were somewhat again in that zone more so. Their finances are in trouble as we have already seen them getting punished via points deduction for failing to meet the Premier League‘s profit and sustainability rules.

Under Sean Dyche, Amadou Onana has featured in 29 PL games this season. The 22-year-old is a sound defensive midfielder who can be brought into the United squad for the right price.

4. Manuel Ugarte (Paris Saint-Germain)

Paris Saint-Germain are likely to be changing their way of doing business around football after a big announcement was made by Kylian Mbappé. Mbappé made it known to the public that this is his last season with the French capital club. It is now reported that Manuel Ugarte who was signed last summer could be sold to facilitate changes as likened by manager Luis Enrique.

PSG paid €60 million to sign the Uruguayan international all while successfully beating Chelsea for his signature. With head coach Enrique not fully convinced about the 23-year-old, L’Équipe has reported, they have offered AC Milan and Juventus a chance to sign him. United can utilise this opportunity and with somewhat over €60 million make Ugarte their own.

3. Morten Hjulmand (Sporting CP)

Last season Sporting CP sold Manuel Ugarte to PSG for a whopping €60 million transfer fee. And this upcoming summer again, we might see another defensive midfielder star being sold. Just at the start of the 2023-24 season, the Portuguese club had signed Morten Hjulmand from Serie A side US Lecce basically to fill the void created by the departure of Ugarte.

Hjulmand quickly took charge and let the world know about his qualities. The 24-year-old was also courted in the January transfer window by Manchester United and it is very likely the club goes after him once again in the summer.

2. Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)

Let’s now look at the Spanish first tier of football, LaLiga and what it has to offer for the problem of replacing Casemiro. Real Sociedad happen to be the home to an interesting talent. Martin Zubimendi has been on the sight of Arsenal led by Mikel Arteta since 2023. They are expected to provide competition if United decide to go after Zubimendi.

The Red Devils will have the option to pay his €60 million release clause and negotiate directly with the player just like every other club. With Declan Rice being the star of the defensive midfield role at Arsenal, United will seem a sweeter deal with regular first-team opportunity for the 25-year-old.

1. João Neves (S.L. Benfica)

João Neves is just 19 but signing him will mean breaking the bank. There is a reported €120 million release clause in his current contract with Portuguese giants S.L. Benfica.

But even Man United captain Bruno Fernandes is convinced of the abilities of the teenager. Fernandes had said, “I don’t know if United rumours are true, but I know he is ready for that big jump”. This is exactly what the club thinks as well after having monitored the player for months. This obviously can be a statement signing for the start of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era. Neves has maintained a passing accuracy of 90 per cent in the Liga Portugal this season. The midfielder is also very tenacious off the ball and ever willing to take the possession back for his side as quickly as possible.

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