Despite having already spent £85 million on midfielders, Manchester United’s focus in the transfer market as the new season looms ever closer is a ‘marquee’ signing to replace Casemiro as the team’s anchor.
The Brazilian Behemoth
While even Mrs Casemiro would admit her husband’s best days were in the past as he entered the final year of his contract last season, the five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid enjoyed a renaissance once Michael Carrick took the reins from Ruben Amorim in January.
Where the Portuguese tactician had imposed his 3-4-2-1 system on Casemiro, Carrick decided to build the team around him. The Wallsend native’s preferred formation is a flexible 4-2-3-1, but he adapted it to account for his ageing Brazilian.
The structure was broadly similar, yet important changes were implemented to give Casemiro the platform to succeed. Lining up in a low block – with more of an emphasis on counter-attacking than Carrick will utilise moving forward – minimised the amount of space the Brazilian needed to cover and protected him from being exposed in transition.
The effect was instantaneous: United boasted the best record of any side in the Premier League in the second half of the campaign. Casemiro was the literal and metaphorical heart of this imperious form, which ended with Champions League qualification after a comfortable third-placed finish.
Yet it remained the right decision by INEOS not to bow to cries of “One More Year!” and stick to their guns not to trigger a one-year extension in Casemiro’s contract – the most expensive at the club.
But make no mistake, the Brazilian behemoth’s loss will be acutely felt, even with the signings of Chelsea’s Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans of Aston Villa. Both are talented operators, but they lack the authority, physicality, defensive prowess and, oddly, goal-scoring threat Casemiro provided, even at this late stage of his glittering career.
Having missed out on the first-choice successor after Manchester City struck a record-breaking deal for Elliot Anderson, attention was turned towards Aurelien Tchouameni. The French superstar had already filled Casemiro’s shoes when he arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2022, making him an ideal candidate to do so again.
Tchouameni does not want to leave the Spanish capital, however, having verbally agreed to a contract extension with Real Madrid. There remain claims Los Blancos could still look to sell him to fund a pursuit of Rodri, but the parallels with the fruitless chase of Frenkie de Jong four years ago are stark.
One In, One Out
It would appear INEOS are at something of a crossroads then. The primary targets to replace Casemiro are either unavailable or unobtainable, while the ones that are have been signed by rivals – save for one notable exception, even if his fate appears to be going the same way as Anderson.
Earlier this year, when Manchester United were linked with Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro hailed his compatriot as the perfect midfielder to take over from him at Old Trafford. In response, the Newcastle United captain said it was a “privilege to hear those words from someone as successful” as the Manchester United No.18.
Guimaraes has established himself as one of the most complete midfielders in Europe since arriving on Tyneside in 2023. Eddie Howe has deployed the Rio de Janeiro native as a No.6 and No.8, while he has even played as a No.10 earlier in his career.
Physically, he is perfectly suited to the cut and thrust of Premier League football, possessing a vicious streak which makes him the type of player hated by other clubs but beloved by his own. But it is on the ball where he truly shines, capable of a level of technique few all-action midfielders are matching.
Naturally, Manchester United are long-term admirers, even if the Magpies would be loath to lose their talisman to a rival. However, the state of chaos which has embroiled St James’ Park – started by the loss of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, then dialled up to ten by Howe’s resignation earlier this week – has given fresh hope of being able to prise Guimaraes away from the North East.
Fresh from their first Premier League title in 22 years, Arsenal have made the Brazil international their leading target. He is understood to be keen on a switch to the Emirates, though club-to-club negotiations are yet to be formally initiated.
Newcastle are adamant they do not want to lose Guimaraes, believing his departure would send the fanbase into meltdown. But every player has a price, and inside sources suggest an offer in around the £80 million mark will change this stance.
Despite Guimaraes’ 29th birthday fast approaching (16 November), INEOS must eschew their well-reasoned policy of prioritising recruits in the 22-26 age range – as they did when raiding Villa Park for Tielemans. The Newcastle No.39 is a player worth making an exception for, simply because there are so few midfielders capable of replacing – or, indeed, upgrading on – Casemiro.
Having an engine room comprised of Guimaraes (28), Tielemans (29), Santos (22) and Kobbie Mainoo (21) would be a well-balanced blend of age and experience, and an eclectic mix of playstyles. Guimaraes’ ability to function as a defensive anchor, a deep-lying playmaker and a leader all in one dynamic package is key to this equilibrium, however.
At present, it is not obvious who Carrick’s best double pivot behind Bruno Fernandes is. Were Guimaraes to swap NE1 for M16, there would be no doubt – and you can’t put a price on certainty.
Final Thoughts
Arsenal are understood to be progressing in their pursuit of Guimaraes, with ESPN reporting the Gunners are “closing on a deal” worth around £77 million. Manchester United must launch a blockbuster hijack to bring Guimaraes to Old Trafford, if only because there are virtually no other options worth pursuing. Is Tyler Adams really going to move the needle for the Red Devils?
Featured image George Wood via Getty Images
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