Seven midfielders Man Utd could buy next summer amid Casemiro exit speculation: Wharton, Gomes…

Manchester United will be in the market for another midfielder in 2025 as Casemiro faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford. 

The Brazil international initially impressed at United following his move from Real Madrid, but he has struggled with form and fitness issues in the last 18 months.

He had a particularly poor game in their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, in which he was at fault for two of the goals and was substituted at half-time.

The 32-year-old still has two years left on his contract but could leave United either in the January transfer window or next summer.

We’ve identified seven midfielders that United could target to replace Casemiro and play alongside the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte.

Adam Wharton

Wharton joined Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers in the January transfer window and has made a seamless transition to Premier League football.

His performances at Selhurst Park in the second half of the 2023/24 season won a lot of plaudits and also earned him a place in the England squad for Euro 2024.

“He’s an incredible player to play with,” team-mate Eberechi Eze said. “Playing with him at Palace, I’ve got used to seeing the way he plays and understanding him. He’s very calm, composed and a joy to play with.

“For someone so young, he’s very mature and very wise. When you speak to him, it feels like you’re speaking to someone older than you, that’s the type of person he is. He’s an incredible player.”

United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have all been credited with an interest in the 20-year-old midfielder.

If United win the race for Wharton’s signature, he could form a brilliant partnership with Kobbie Mainoo at both club and international level.

Joao Gomes

Since joining Wolves from Flamengo in January 2023, Gomes has established himself as one of the best ball-winners in the Premier League.

He has the affectionate nickname of ‘The Pitbull’ as his style of play is typified by his work rate and desire to win back possession.

The midfielder – who can play as a No.6 or in a box-to-box role – averaged 4.3 successful tackles per 90 minutes in the Premier League in 2023/24.

Reports in the British tabloids revealed that United watched him several times last season, and he is valued at around £40million.

The 23-year-old has taken Casemiro’s place in the Brazil squad in recent months and could now replace his compatriot at Old Trafford.

Winning the ball back 🤝 @GomesOficial08 pic.twitter.com/rv9alRIKNN

— Wolves (@Wolves) August 16, 2023

Exequiel Palacios

While Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have been the standout performers for Bayer Leverkusen in recent months, Palacios has also been an unsung hero in Xabi Alonso’s team.

He has built a brilliant midfield partnership with Granit Xhaka and his performances helped Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal in 2023/24.

The 25-year-old also possesses considerable international pedigree, having formed part of the Argentina team which lifted the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He has reportedly attracted the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including United, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

But Leverkusen won’t want to sell the combative midfielder and he is under contract at the BayArena until 2028, which puts them in a strong position.

Morten Hjulmand

Hjumland replaced Ugarte at Sporting CP in the summer of 2023 and enjoyed a brilliant debut season, helping Ruben Amorim’s side win the Primeira Liga.

The Denmark international also showcased his abilities at Euro 2024 and scored a brilliant goal in their 1-1 draw with England in the group stage.

He has now been named club captain at Sporting and is under contract until 2028, although that deal includes a £67.2million release clause.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed that United have been scouting the 25-year-old, who has also been linked with Tottenham and Arsenal.

“I’d say that it is a destination I could see myself going to in the future,” Hjulmand said when asked about a move to England. “Whether it’s a dream, I don’t know. But it is a goal for me to play in the Premier League one day.”

🇩🇰 Hjulmand from distance!#EUROGOTT | @AlipayPlus pic.twitter.com/Af8Nj2qnTl

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 20, 2024

Ederson

Not to be confused with his namesake at Manchester City, Ederson is a versatile midfielder who currently plies his trade for Atalanta in Serie A.

The 25-year-old has produced several eye-catching performances in Italy and also played a key role in Atalanta’s Europa League success in the 2023/24 season.

“He has the ability and the physicality to handle the pace of the game [in England],” his former manager at Corinthians, Tiago Nunes, told Sky Sports. “He is a very vertical player with a lot of pace in the final third of the pitch.

‘This is a player with very particular characteristics who can develop even more in a league as strong as the Premier League.”

According to reports in Italy, United made a £42.5million bid for the Brazil international in the summer transfer window but it was rejected by Atalanta.

United may reignite their interest in him next summer and they have previously done business with Atalanta, having bought in Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund in recent windows.

Richard Rios

Alongside Ederson, Exequiel Palacios and Joao Gomes, United have been linked with another South American midfielder.

Rios shot to prominence at the 2024 Copa America after helping Colombia reach the final, where they lost 1-0 against Argentina.

He impressed with his relentless pressing and his ability to break up play, but he is also an accomplished ball carrier and made 18 successful dribbles during the tournament – more than any other player.

The 24-year-old currently plays his club football in Brazil with Palmeiras and looks ready to move to one of Europe’s big five leagues.

According to reports in England, he was on United’s list of midfield targets in the summer transfer window before they signed Ugarte.

Hayden Hackney

While Adam Wharton has now made the step up to the Premier League, Hackney is still playing in the Championship after an injury-plagued 2023/24 season.

But the Middlesbrough midfielder is making good progress under the tutelage of former United midfielder Michael Carrick and has been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

“You couldn’t ask for much more from Hayden,” Carrick said when asked about the England Under-21 international.

“He’s grounded, he’s humble, he’s down to earth and loves to learn. He loves the place and he loves the club as well.

“To have that, added with the talent he has got, it’s the perfect scenario. I think it just shows his consistency really, over a long period of time. It’s not easy when you’re a younger player, but he’s certainly done that.”

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