Manchester United are one win away from confirming their place in next season’s Champions League and have been linked with top Premier League stars as they prepare for the Casemiro departure
Manchester United are one victory away from securing their place in next season’s Champions League as they shift focus to facing bitter rivals Liverpool this weekend.
But United will also be casting an eye towards the future with this summer’s transfer window fast approaching. Michael Carrick’s team are poised to lose Casemiro on a free transfer and he will be sorely missed after enjoying a rich vein of form. Casemiro netted the opener on Monday against Brentford, which marked his ninth league goal of the campaign. The Brazilian had managed just six across 77 Premier League appearances prior to this season.
“Case has had an influence within the group,” interim manager Michael Carrick said. “He’s got huge experience. He’s a big player who has achieved an awful lot in the game.” The prospect of Champions League football could assist United in replacing Casemiro when his deal runs out but the club are determined to avoid past errors in the transfer market. Here’s all the latest news from Old Trafford.
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Anderson plan becomes clear
Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson has emerged as United’s primary midfield target, reports the Mirror.
They aren’t the only club interested, however, and BBC Sport report that the Red Devils’ strategy will differ from previous summer windows as they pursue the 23-year-old star.
United are resolved not to overspend on Anderson, having blown massive amounts of money in recent windows on huge flops such as Antony and Rasmus Hojlund.
And it’s claimed that if Forest persist with a reported £120m valuation, the Red Devils will walk away.
United are also intent on avoiding protracted negotiations before switching focus at the eleventh hour, as occurred when they turned to Casemiro after attempts to secure Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong collapsed.
United are understood to prefer conducting business swiftly and efficiently, mirroring last summer’s acquisitions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Guimaraes a good fit
Anderson isn’t the sole midfielder to have been associated with United, with considerable speculation surrounding the likes of Crystal Palace ace Adam Wharton, 22, and Brighton’s young prospect Carlos Baleba, 22, over the past 12 months.
Nevertheless, former player Louis Saha has highlighted Bruno Guimaraes, 28, of Newcastle United and Real Madrid defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, 26, as players he believes could better deliver what they require.
“If you lose someone like Casemiro, you need experience and someone who can maintain the level in midfield,” Saha told BetVictor Online Casino.
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“Guimaraes would fit really nicely because he already knows the Premier League. He’s aggressive but also very technical and can add goals.”
He added: “Tchouameni has experience at the highest level and plays under pressure every day – that’s very similar to what Casemiro brought.”
Tchouameni and Casemiro were briefly team-mates at Real Madrid before the latter made his move to England in the summer of 2022.