“One more year Casemiro” is the chant from Manchester United fans right now but unfortunately for them, the Brazilian is not willing to fulfill their wish.
If you told Old Trafford a few years ago that they would be sad to see him go, you would have been laughed at. However, the midfielder’s resurgence has been remarkable.
He has scored nine goals this season, more than in any other campaign in his career. It is not his first role in this team, but it is very clear that he will leave a big hole to fill in both fields.
So, with Michael Carrick tied for a permanent managerial position at United, how did he come to replace the former Real Madrid man? It won’t be easy.
Man United’s top options to replace Casemiro
United’s shortlist to replace the Brazilian this summer is more than a long list. It contains expensive options, it contains middling options and it also contains a few cheap players.
That sounds about right when you consider that Jason Wilcox and Co are likely to bring in more than one midfielder this summer. Indeed, Manuel Ugarte is about to head to the resting place.
Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali are two big money names, worth around £100m each. Cheap Carlos Baleba and Aurelien Tchouameni are worth around £80m.
In the cheapest category lives Atalanta’s Ederson. Honestly, it wouldn’t be surprising if that move was made. Some reports even say that he has agreed a five-year contract with the Red Devils.
It would appear that Ederson is not the only midfielder trying to persuade his agent to move to United.
According to TEAMtalk, the club are finalizing their plans to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United and have already started talks with the player’s representatives about a move this summer.
Fernandes is said to be ‘very keen’ to move to Old Trafford, a sentiment shared by all parties. United would like to make him one of their first-team players when the window opens.
That said, West Ham value the Portuguese midfielder at around £80m, which is cheaper than Anderson but not by much.
Why Anderson is wiping the floor with Baleba and Mainoo
Last year, Baleba was a man. The Cameroon international enjoyed a fine 2024/25 season with Brighton and has reportedly agreed terms with United.
However, in 2025/26, his numbers dropped significantly, leading fans and recruits at Old Trafford to think twice about the forward’s move.
|
Baleba – 2024/25 vs 2025/26 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Mathematics (in 90 minutes) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|
Goals |
0.10 |
0.00 |
|
Shots |
1.48 |
1.04 |
|
It helps |
0.03 |
0.00 |
|
Opportunities are created |
0.77 |
0.37 |
|
Successful dribbles |
1.11 |
0.70 |
|
Duels won |
6.71 |
5.1 |
|
Fighting |
2.66 |
2.1 |
|
Mistakes have been made |
1.35 |
1.77 |
Fernandes, however, will represent a clear improvement. Forget about his miss at the weekend when David Raya somehow kept him out, this is one of the best midfielders in this division and he is ready to shine for a better team. Any move, of course, can be made easier if and when the Hammers are brought down.
The best way to describe the 21-year-old is that he’s a Declan Rice clone, and that’s not just how they both made their mark at West Ham.
The two are down as few players in the Premier League do. The two best players in the English top-flight this season are Rice and Fernandes. No other player has a higher average carry distance to gain per carry.
What does that mean? However, in reality, how much forward space does a player gain by dribbling and carry before losing the ball.
In addition, they are at the level of football acquisition. While Anderson leads the list for most games (10) with more than ten catches this season, Rice and Fernandes have both reached that mark three times.
While Baleba registers more recoveries per 90 minutes with 5.6, in all other areas Fernandes wipes the floor with him. Incidentally, he is better than United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, too.
|
Fernandes vs Baleba and Mainoo |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mathematics (in 90 minutes) |
Fernandes |
They stole |
Mainoo |
|
Pass accuracy |
87% |
86% |
89% |
|
The fight is done |
3.1 |
2.1 |
2.1 |
|
The takeover is complete |
1 |
0.7 |
1 |
|
The success of the takeover |
61.7% |
54.5% |
53.3% |
|
Duels won |
6.1 |
5.2 |
5.1 |
|
The discovery of the ball |
5.5 |
5.6 |
5.3 |
|
The property is lost |
9.9 |
8.9 |
10.6 |
In the metrics that matter most in their place on the field, it’s clear to see why the Irons’ star is dominating. Of course, West Ham are forced to defend a lot, but they win more duels in 90 minutes and the way they carry the ball forward is highlighted again.
While he completes the same amount of takedowns per game as Mainoo, his success rate is much higher. That is why Fernandes is compared to rice.
If we continue for a long time, Baleba who is signed by him will suffer a lot. Fernandes would not be an immediate replacement for Mainoo, especially if they sign two midfielders but he would be better than the Brighton midfielder and a bigger player than Casemiro.
As impressive as he has been for the Brazilian in 2025/26, his legs and strength are gone and they need someone to improve. Fernandes ticks that box and then some.
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