7M - Casemiro Silenced His Critics. Now Manchester United Face the Challenge of Replacing Him

"Leave the football before the football leaves you."This remark from Jamie Carragher, ripe for memes, loomed over Casemiro for some time. It is a testament to the Brazilian's resilience and professionalism that he will depart Manchester United this year on his own terms, two years after the former Liverpool defender's notorious comment.

To be fair to Carragher, context was crucial at the time. Following United's 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in May 2024, Casemiro appeared finished at the top level, frequently overrun in high-tempo matches and exposed by Erik ten Hag's high-risk strategies.

Casemiro could have chosen an easy exit to the Saudi Pro League – he had little left to prove given his illustrious trophy haul. At that point, United seemed desperate to move him on; now it is evident that finding his successor will be the club's most difficult task this summer, presenting another challenge for Jason Wilcox and his team.

In the latter stage of his career – he turns 34 this month – Casemiro brought greater discipline to his game, becoming more cautious of his limitations when faced with midfield runners. He was content to sit deep, utilizing his exceptional reading of the game to execute his trademark tackles and release more dynamic midfield partners. In the air, he remained a dominant force in both penalty areas. United managers did not always perfect the midfield structure around him – Ten Hag especially – but the former Real Madrid stalwart carried out his duties without complaint.

Filling the void left by Casemiro will be costly for United, even though shedding his substantial salary provides some financial flexibility. The club has identified revamping their midfield as a primary transfer objective, after spending 2025 restructuring the attack with approximately £200m invested in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko. Among the current midfield group, only Kobbie Mainoo seems assured of his place next season. Bruno Fernandes continues to attract interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, and Manuel Ugarte's challenging adjustment to English football means he could depart if United receive a suitable offer. United may need to acquire two or three midfielders, with a specialist defensive anchor being the top priority.

Carlos Baleba matches that description. United inquired about a deal last summer but were put off by Brighton's valuation, exceeding £100m. Following a slow start to the campaign, the Cameroonian is re-establishing himself as one of the league's finest talents outside the traditional top six and could be targeted again. At 22, with the defensive and physical qualities to step into the Casemiro role, he remains an appealing option.

Elliot Anderson will attract numerous suitors this summer due to his performances for Nottingham Forest and his ascent into Thomas Tuchel's preferred England lineup. The 23-year-old could potentially serve as a more dynamic and progressive alternative to Casemiro; he has the stamina and passing range for an elite midfield, though a potential obstacle is Forest's valuation of one of their key assets. Evangelos Marinakis would rightly demand a premium fee for Anderson, should he decide to sell.

A similar situation applies to Crystal Palace and Adam Wharton, although the recent exodus from Selhurst Park might weaken the Eagles' bargaining position. Wharton may feel he deserves a transfer, much like Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, and Marc Guéhi were granted their desired moves. Hailing from Blackburn, he has connections to the northwest, leading many to anticipate a bidding contest between United and Manchester City for his signature.

Stylistically, however, Wharton presents a quandary. He might require a dedicated ball-winner beside him, as he is primarily a deep-lying playmaker and a natural risk-taker on the ball. He has excelled playing alongside the industrious Will Hughes at Palace. Would Wharton and Mainoo form a complementary partnership?

Other options include bringing Rúben Neves back to the Premier League after his three-year spell with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, or taking a chance on Stuttgart's highly-rated Angelo Stiller. Neither player perfectly aligns with United's preference for individuals in their early to mid-20s who have proven themselves in the English top flight. Neves has done so previously at Wolves, though not recently, and will turn 29 in March. Stiller, 24, might be viewed as an unknown quantity due to his lack of Premier League experience. The Bournemouth duo Tyler Adams and Alex Scott, aged 26 and 22 respectively, fit United's profile but are not names likely to electrify the fanbase.

A significant caveat is what a new permanent manager, if appointed this summer, will require. Ruben Amorim's departure stemmed from a disagreement with United's hierarchy over transfer authority; presumably, a new appointee will have his own vision for the team's midfield structure, which United would be wise to respect.

Michael Carrick has favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation with Mainoo alongside Casemiro. Will his successor, assuming Carrick does not secure the role permanently, demand a similar balance in midfield? As with so many questions surrounding United currently, they must find the answer this summer.