Manchester United are lining up the recruitment of two new players as replacements for Casemiro following confirmation that he will depart Old Trafford when the campaign concludes.
The former Real Madrid midfielder, a five-time Champions League winner, arrived at United in 2022 after completing a £70m transfer from the Spanish giants.
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Given his decorated spell at the Bernabeu, expectations were sky-high for the Brazilian icon, although his early performances at United failed to fully meet that billing.
This season, however, the 33-year-old has rediscovered his best form and was rewarded with the man-of-the-match award after Manchester United’s derby victory over Manchester City last weekend.
While United had already earmarked the signing of a new midfielder ahead of the summer window, plans have now expanded to bringing in two additions to offset Casemiro’s exit.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have all been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, though the club had initially been expected to pursue just one of the trio.
That stance has now shifted, with talkSPORT reporting that Manchester United are preparing to land two of those three targets to strengthen midfield depth ahead of the arrival of a new permanent manager.
Michael Carrick stepped in as caretaker head coach until the end of the season following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal earlier this month.
Amorim had been eager to secure a central midfield signing last summer, but United opted for caution after investing close to £200m on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.
The former Sporting boss also renewed his push for a midfielder during the January window, and United’s hesitation to act was cited as a key factor in the breakdown of his relationship with the club’s hierarchy.
According to the Daily Mail, emerging England talent Anderson currently sits at the top of United’s shortlist, although Nottingham Forest are reportedly demanding a fee in excess of £100m for the 23-year-old.
Anderson has continued to shine individually despite Forest being pulled into a relegation scrap, having secured only six wins from their opening 22 league matches.
United face stiff competition for his signature, though, with Manchester City also tracking the midfielder and able to tempt him with significantly higher wages.
As a result, Manchester United’s chances of securing Anderson may hinge on whether Carrick can guide the club into the Champions League places next season.
The Red Devils currently occupy fifth position in the table, just one point adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool, ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Baleba remains another viable option, with Amorim previously pushing hard to bring the Brighton midfielder to Old Trafford last summer.
The Cameroon international had verbally agreed to join the club and remains open to making the switch to the Theatre of Dreams during the upcoming window.
Brighton were holding out for a fee well above £100m six months ago, but the Mail reports that their valuation has since fallen to around £75m.
United could also choose to focus their efforts on Wharton, though competition is expected to be fierce, with Liverpool also monitoring the Crystal Palace midfielder.
Wharton is anticipated to be one of several high-profile exits from Selhurst Park, with Palace already losing Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, while Jean-Philippe Mateta may still depart before the transfer deadline and manager Oliver Glasner is set to leave in the summer.
Casemiro’s impending exit may not have raised major concerns a year ago, but his recent resurgence has altered perceptions.
Announcing his decision to move on, Casemiro said: ‘I will carry Manchester United with me throughout my entire life.
‘It is not time to say goodbye; there are many more memories to create during the next four months.
‘We still have a lot to fight for together; my complete focus will, as always, remain on giving my everything to help our club to succeed.’
Carrick also addressed the situation, stating: ‘It is coming into that time of the season with contracts. We are working away through January. There will be conversations at the right time.
‘The announcement for Case was for clarity. It was decided before I arrived. The type of personality and character he is shows with his performance. He is desperate to do well.’
