Manchester United face a £265 million overhaul after Casemiro confirms his departure from Old Trafford.
Manchester United faces a difficult personnel dilemma as Casemiro has confirmed his departure at the end of the season, forcing the Red Devils to spend around £265 million to rebuild their midfield.
Casemiro's official confirmation of leaving Manchester United at the end of this season, when his contract expires, has put the team in a challenging situation. While releasing his salary of over £300,000 per week (equivalent to £15 million per year) will help the Old Trafford club balance its finances, the professional void left in the midfield is enormous.
The reconstruction plan is worth £265 million.
After spending over £200 million on attack last summer, Man Utd now face an equally costly overhaul in midfield. With Manuel Ugarte potentially leaving in January and captain Bruno Fernandes' future still uncertain amid offers from Saudi Arabia, the Red Devils' scouting department has narrowed down its focus to three key targets.
However, the price tag for the trio of Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson, and Adam Wharton is astronomical. Brighton will certainly not let Baleba go for less than £100 million. Nottingham Forest are also demanding £100 million for Elliot Anderson, while Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton is valued at around £65 million. In total, the budget for this overhaul could reach £265 million.
System changes and tactical challenges
Ruben Amorim's departure means the 3-4-3 formation will no longer be maintained. Interim manager Michael Carrick will most likely revert the team to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. This change increases the need for a higher number of quality central midfielders to maintain a balance between attack and defense.
If Bruno Fernandes decides to leave, Man Utd will lose their only creative mastermind. While Mason Mount could theoretically fill that void, the former Chelsea star's extensive injury record means the coaching staff cannot fully trust him for a long-term campaign.
Kobbie Mainoo's bright spot and Michael Carrick's mission.
Amidst the bleak picture, the resurgence of Kobbie Mainoo is the biggest hope. Previously sidelined by Amorim, Mainoo has made an impressive comeback under Carrick, delivering an outstanding performance in the victory against Man City. Man Utd are now working to negotiate a contract extension with this young talent to keep him from being lured away by other big clubs.
The current situation places immense pressure on Michael Carrick to get Man Utd into the Top 4 at all costs. Only a Champions League spot and the accompanying prize money will give the Red Devils enough budget to carry out this expensive midfield overhaul. Otherwise, Man Utd will enter the new season with a makeshift midfield, seriously threatening the team's standing.
