Forget Anderson: Man Utd have already signed a “beast” to replace Casemiro

One of Manchester United‘s first priorities this summer should be to find a replacement for Casemiro.

The Brazilian confirmed the news that he’s set to leave the club as a free agent back in January and INEOS now have the task of replacing the quality of a serial winner at the heart of the Red Devils’ midfield.

Just who that replacement will be is the big question. INEOS didn’t hesitate to spend big on Man United’s attacking rebuild last summer and could splash the cash again to transform their midfield.

Who could replace Casemiro at Man Utd?

Two years ago, replacing Casemiro seemed a routine task. After all, this was an ageing midfielder who looked well past his best. If anything, he looked like a major liability at Old Trafford.

Fast-forward to 2026, however, and it’s not absurd to suggest that he’s now undroppable under Michael Carrick. Suddenly, finding a replacement doesn’t exactly seem easy and it certainly doesn’t seem cheap.

The two biggest names that have threatened to steal the headlines on that front are Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton. The England duo have impressed throughout the current campaign and remain two of the most wanted players in the Premier League.

Recent reports have claimed that there could be a Manchester tussle to sign Anderson, with Manchester City also plotting a move to sign the Nottingham Forest man, who could be worth around £90m this summer.

Meanwhile, there’s also plenty of competition in pursuit of Wharton. Alongside United, Liverpool are reportedly interested in the Crystal Palace man – sparking another battle between rival clubs.

If INEOS are willing to spend big, then Anderson is their man. He would transform their midfield. The only question will be whether they can convince him to ignore Man City’s pursuit in favour of a summer switch to Old Trafford.

No outfield player has made more recoveries than the Forest star, who has also blown Casemiro and Wharton away in every other department.

But what if INEOS didn’t need to spend big? Sir Jim Ratcliffe hasn’t hidden his desire to save money in the past and Man United could yet have a replacement for Casemiro far closer to home than they think.

Man United’s in-house Casemiro replacement

As tempting as external options will be, Man United should always encourage their managers to look towards their academy. It’s how Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene, how Kobbie Mainoo did the same in recent memory, and how INEOS can save the best part of £90m.

Instead of Wharton or Anderson, those at Old Trafford could turn to young Sekou Kone in search of a long-term Casemiro replacement. The 20-year-old signed for the club back in the summer of 2024 and is currently on loan at Lausanne-Sport in Switzerland until the end of the season, but remains one to watch when he returns this summer.

Scout Antonio Mango believed that the young midfielder could have become a “beast” under Ruben Amorim and the U23 scout may have been on the right track.

Even without Amorim, Kone could become a key man for years to come under the right manager – whether it’s Carrick or someone like Roberto De Zerbi this summer.

He’s not had a lot of chances in Switzerland this season, but the Man United youngster has shown glimpses of his quality when he has featured for Lausanne.

He first caught the eye with Mali at the U17 World Cup, demonstrating that he is very much the same type of tireless midfielder that Anderson has become.

Furthermore, on loan, he has often shown little hesitation when stepping forward to join Lausanne’s press and that’s one of a number of qualities that would stand out under a manager like De Zerbi at Man United.

Related

Sell him before Ugarte: £47m flop will never play for Man Utd again

Manuel Ugarte isn’t the only Manchester United man under threat heading into the summer.