MU currently has 5 clear options in the central midfielder position, but most of them have problems. So why is the Red Devils still waiting to be able to recruit a star to carry his middle line?
5 options but no one is trustworthy
The biggest reason why Man United could not recruit more midfielder was the presence of Casemiro, who was enjoying a very high salary at the club. According to close sources, up to four intermediaries authorized to search for new stops for Casemiro, who currently entered the final year of the contract and are receiving a salary of about £ 300,000/week.
To avoid losses in accordance with the Premier League profit and sustainability, Man United need to earn at least £ 15 million if selling Casemiro. However, such an offer is unlikely to happen at this time.
The 33-year-old midfielder shone in the Knock-Out Europa League last season, but even in the winter transfer window, Manchester Club sought to push him away when he had more than a month without playing.
Man United wants to strengthen the middle line, but Casemiro is currently one of the five existing choices. The club will have to create a significant financial source or push a high -paying player to have room for more people.
Bruno Fernandes is likely to be pulled by coach Ruben Amorim to the central midfielder more often. Man United also spent £ 50 million to recruit Manuel Ugarte in August last year. Kobbie Mainoo is currently being used by Amorim as a playful gameplay, and Toby Collyer has only played three matches in a professional career.
Mainoo refused to ask for the first contract extension that Man United sent earlier this year. Meanwhile, Ugarte's decline in the late season last season made him lose its main kick in the Europa League final, the match that Casemiro was prioritized.
MU needs to consolidate many positions
Last month, Man United broke up with Christian Eriksen. And instead of putting the force for the midfield, they prioritized to increase the attack with a total of 133.5 million pounds to recruit Maheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Another striker is also in the transfer plan.
In addition, the club also reviewed alternatives in the wooden frame, but Andrre Onana's recent injury has made this plan more complicated. However, Man United currently does not actively seek to sell Onana.
Casemiro joined Man United from Real Madrid in August 2022 with an initial fee of 60 million pounds (can increase to £ 70 million). Despite playing very well in the first season, his influence has significantly decreased until he was brought back to the main squad in the first leg of the Europa League round against Real Sociedad in March.
After the second leg against Sociedad, coach Amorim admitted: “I am gradually improving the use of a player like Casemiro.” Notably, Casemiro has just been called back to the Brazilian team after 18 months of being removed from the list.
However, Casemiro's ability to leave is still a big question mark. With age, high salary and unstable performance, not many clubs are willing to invest a significant amount for him, especially in the context of the current market is not too exciting for players over the age of 30. Saudi teams were interested in Casemiro, but those rumors have not yet transformed into specific offers.
“The problem” Casemiro can harm MU
On Man United's side, the hesitation in handling the “Casemiro problem” is inhibiting the mid -gland reconstruction plan, a clearly degraded area after the decline of Eriksen, the drum of Ugarte and the youngness of Mainoo or Collyer. Ruben Amorim may be a good coach to adjust the tactics, but without the right quality cards, he can hardly make a breakthrough in the first season.
The situation became more urgent when Man United was fiercely competing with major opponents in the Premier League, the teams have strengthened the middle line very strongly in the last two transfer. Slow legs can make the Red Devils once again breathe in the race to win tickets to the Champions League, not to mention the title goal.
The financial problem is also a key factor. With the strict limit from the Premier League regulations, Man United must consider each of them carefully. The priority for the attack this summer, with a total spending exceeding 130 million pounds, shows that they are expecting to “override the opponent with attack power”. But a defensive midfield will be a critical weakness in the long -distance race.
In that situation, Casemiro is both a burden and hope. If he keeps, he must prove that he is still valuable, both professional and the influence of the dressing room. If sold, Man United was forced to find the right replacement immediately, which was not easy in the middle of the summer.
In short, the desire to recruit a new central midfielder of Man United is not simply a professional decision, but also related to a series of financial, tactical and personnel factors. And when Casemiro was still there, as a “anchor” to hold on to the upgrade plan, Ruben Amorim and his colleagues would have to calculate very carefully every step next.