Manchester United Forced Into Major Midfield Overhaul With Two Top Target

Manchester United are finally being pushed into the kind of midfield rebuild supporters have demanded for years, and this time there appears to be no turning back.

The biggest signal of change is the expected departure of Casemiro at the end of the season. Once a serial Champions League winner and one of the most respected figures in the dressing room, the Brazilian’s time at Old Trafford is drawing to a close. According to The i Paper, there were some senior figures at United who quietly hoped Casemiro might agree to stay on reduced wages, given how highly he is regarded at the club. But that idea was never realistic.

At 33, Casemiro is not interested in taking a pay cut, and United, mindful of past mistakes, know they must move on. His exit leaves a huge hole in midfield, but it also removes a major salary and underlines that this rebuild will be more than cosmetic.

A midfield overhaul long overdue

Casemiro’s departure is only part of the problem. United’s midfield has lacked balance, energy and consistency for several seasons, often being overrun by younger, more athletic sides in the Premier League. This season alone, United have been among the bottom half of the table for distance covered per match, a worrying stat for a club that wants to compete at the highest level.

The club’s hierarchy have identified three long-term targets they believe can help fix that issue: Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Newcastle United’s Elliot Anderson. These names have been on United’s radar for some time, and the approach is deliberate. One of the key lessons Ineos are keen to apply is to stop reacting late in the market and instead plan transfers months in advance.

A January move for one of those midfielders was considered, but their clubs were unwilling to lose such important players halfway through the season. That has not cooled United’s interest. In fact, further exits in the summer could leave the midfield so thin that two, or even three, new signings become necessary.

Of the three main targets, The i Paper reported that Wharton and Baleba are seen as the most realistic options. There is a growing belief inside United that Anderson would prefer a move to rivals Manchester City, a blow that reflects how fierce competition for elite young English talent has become.

Alongside these headline targets, director of recruitment Christopher Vivell is also lining up more affordable options across Europe. These would not necessarily replace marquee signings, but could complement them, allowing United to build depth rather than relying on a small, fragile core.

Preparing for life after Bruno Fernandes

Perhaps the most delicate issue facing United’s midfield planning is the future of Bruno Fernandes. As previously reported, there are concerns among some executives that the club captain may finally have grown tired of constant managerial changes and uncertainty.

Fernandes has already admitted that he has been tempted by interest from Saudi Arabia. With several Pro League stars expected to return to Europe this summer, Saudi clubs are once again targeting global names, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Fernandes fits that profile perfectly.

United want clarity before Fernandes heads to the World Cup. The Portuguese midfielder has said he would like to address his future after the tournament, but waiting that long would leave United scrambling to plan for next season. As a result, the club are preparing for both outcomes.

One source described it as a “win-win” situation. If Fernandes stays, United retain their most creative player, who has been involved in more goals than any other United midfielder since joining the club. If he leaves, the transfer fee could be substantial, giving United the funds to reshape the squad more aggressively.

Manuel Ugarte is another midfielder whose future is uncertain. Several clubs are monitoring his situation, and while a January move was discussed, United need numbers in midfield for now. A summer exit appears far more likely.

Mainoo’s remarkable turnaround

Few stories capture the chaos – and hope – of United’s season better than Kobbie Mainoo’s. Not long ago, the young midfielder looked completely disconnected, memorably staring into space as former coach Ruben Amorim tried to give him instructions from the touchline during a late substitute appearance at Crystal Palace.

At that point, Mainoo wanted out. With zero league starts to his name, a January loan or even a permanent move was on his mind. For a player many inside the club see as a generational talent, the situation felt close to breaking point.

Everything has changed since Amorim’s departure and Michael Carrick’s return to the dugout. Mainoo is now central to United’s plans again, and a new contract offer is being prepared. The deal would bring his wages in line with his teammates and reflect his growing importance.

Crucially, United see Mainoo as a key part of next season regardless of who becomes the permanent manager. With Carrick – his biggest supporter – currently in charge, Mainoo is expected to get plenty of minutes to show exactly why the hype around him refuses to fade.

For the first time in years, United’s midfield problems are not being papered over. Hard decisions are being made, big names may leave, and young talent is being trusted again. It may be painful, but for supporters who have waited far too long, this feels like the reset they have been crying out for.