Story byFive Midfield Targets Man Utd Could Pursue After Casemiro DepartureFootball TodayFri, January 23, 2026 at 5:21 AM UTC·4 min readManchester United will part ways with star midfielder Casemiro at the end of the current campaign, creating a gaping hole at the heart of Michael Carrick’s engine room. Despite his occasional ups and downs since joining the club from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, the 33-year-old has quickly become one of the fan favourites at Old Trafford. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUnited paid Los Merengues a whopping £60 million to sign the five-time UEFA Champions League winner, while handing the player an eye-watering £350,000-a-week contract. However, it paid off as Casemiro helped the Red Devils lift the 2023 League Cup trophy with a match-winning performance before guiding them to the 2024 FA Cup triumph. Casemiro’s tenacity and combative nature, combined with a knack for scoring decisive goals, have turned him into a cornerstone of Man Utd’s midfield in recent seasons. Unfortunately, the time has come for the Brazil captain to wave goodbye to the Theatre of Dreams, with the player announcing his departure at the end of the season. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith the former Madrid stalwart on his way out, it’s up to the club to find a suitable successor, a challenge made even tougher by the pressure of securing a top-four finish. Here, we look at five potential replacements for the Old Trafford faithful’s cult hero. EdersonDespite Atalanta’s notable downfall in the wake of Gian Piero Gasperini’s departure, Ederson remains one of the most highly rated midfielders in Serie A. Inter Milan had tried to lure him away from Bergamo last summer but to no avail, as La Dea’s £55m asking price blew the Nerazzurri out of the water, opening the door for a potential Premier League move. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAt 26, Ederson is at his peak powers, but it’s questionable whether he would be a fitting candidate to fill Casemiro’s shoes despite their shared nationality and similar styles of play. Even the bookmakers view the former Salernitana man as an outsider in the race to replace the Brazilian veteran in Manchester. Adam WhartonEmerging as a household name at Crystal Palace, Adam Wharton is one of the most sought-after midfielders on the market, with a queue of clubs eager to acquire his services. Priced at 15/2 to join Man Utd in the summer, Wharton has generated plenty of interest, as Real Madrid and Liverpool are also hot on his trail, with Tottenham Hotspur lurking in the shadows. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 21-year-old has become famous for his tactical intelligence and elegance, and there’s no doubt that he would be an immediate upgrade on United’s current midfield options. Palace could be inclined to let him leave for a reported fee of £65m. Elliot AndersonNottingham Forest’s first European season in the 21st century has plunged the club’s domestic campaign into chaos, with the Tricky Trees languishing in the Premier League’s lower reaches since the opening weekend. While things have not gone their way, Elliot Anderson remains a rare shining light at the City Ground, as the 23-year-old continues to impress with his energy, technical quality and willingness to take responsibility in midfield. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnderson is already an established Premier League star and is likely to play a prominent role for England at the upcoming FIFA World Cup after becoming a first-team regular for Thomas Tuchel’s side. Meanwhile, several English clubs have taken note of his progress in West Bridgford, with Chelsea and Manchester City reportedly set to rival Man Utd for his services. The former Newcastle United ace won’t come cheap, with Forest slapping a prohibitive £100m price tag on their most prized asset. James GarnerCasemiro’s exit could lure the Carrington academy graduate, James Garner, back to his boyhood club after an impressive four-year stint at Everton,.