INEOS open talks to sign £44m “monster” who’d be Man Utd’s new Mainoo

Manchester United bounced back from a disappointing 2-1 loss at the hands of Leeds United in the Premier League by piling on the misery for Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea.

Indeed, on their travels to Stamford Bridge, Michael Carrick’s Red Devils would just about get over the line to a slim 1-0 victory against the dejected Blues, with Matheus Cunha’s early opener ending up being the difference maker.

Despite Cunha’s strike, the standout man was undoubtedly Kobbie Mainoo as the young Englishman continues to excel under Carrick’s tutelage. He succeeded with 91% of his pass and won six duels come the end of the successful trip to the capital.

Casemiro would only manage an 83% pass accuracy, in stark contrast, as he also won six duels, with United needing to utilise the summer transfer market effectively, to find a long-term replacement for the ageing Brazilian.

Man Utd could sign Mainoo 2.0

United fans would have loved Casemiro to pen a new contract, as he has suddenly aged like a fine wine at Old Trafford.

Indeed, with ten goal contributions next to his name this season in the Premier League, the South American battler is still clearly a tenacious performer, despite being 34 years of age.

However, he will be walking away when the season is out, with United’s clear summer priority being to sign a new midfield presence.

The likes of Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, and Aurelien Tchouameni are reportedly on their radar, but new reports also suggest that United have entered talks to sign Atalanta ace Ederson, as another option centrally.

The Premier League giants have previously been linked with the Brazilian, with fresh reports from Italy stating that concrete efforts are now being made by Carrick and Co to land their long-term target.

Talks have reportedly taken place to try and iron out an agreement, with the price tag above Ederson’s head a modest £44m, compared to the aforementioned Anderson being touted for a £100m switch.

While United will be looking to fill the void left behind by Casemiro, sealing Ederson’s signature could actually see them win a new version of Mainoo.

How Ederson could be the new Mainoo

Ederson might well be five years older than his United counterpart, but he is a very much a player in the same mould as the dynamic youngster.

Capable of playing as a holding anchor, a traditional central option, or further forward as an attacking midfielder, much like Mainoo, Ederson also has a long-range bullet up his sleeve, when required, for his Serie A outfit.

This wonderfully taken goal against Barcelona last year shows off a star who wouldn’t feel intimidated by the pressures of the Theatre of Dreams, with 15 goals and five assists next to his name, during his 175-game spell in Bergamo.

Mainoo isn’t far behind in this department, with seven goals and five assists under his belt, from considerably fewer outings in Manchester, at the 97 mark.

Yet, both players are far more than just their goal and assist output, though, with the Brazilian “monster” as he was heralded by journalist Ryan Taylor, looking to be well-equipped to excel in the hustle and bustle of the Premier League when digging deeper into his Serie A numbers this season to date.

The table above clearly shows off their similarities, with both midfielders keen to get stuck in and do their defensive jobs, as much as they are willing to burst forward and join in with attacks. They win a similar number of duels per 90 while their like-minded pass success rate speaks volumes about the composed figures they are in the middle of the park.

For £44m, United could be able to win themselves a bargain, as opposed to having to splash the cash lavishly, with Mainoo not costing the Red Devils a single penny, having come through their esteemed academy structure, to now be a first-team regular.

He will surely remain as the heartbeat of the new-look United side when Casemiro departs, as he has so much more to still give, at only 21 years of age.

But, he could be partnered by Ederson soon. Once lauded by Italian content creator Damiano Coccia as “the strongest defensive midfielder in the world”, another energetic and versatile midfielder could well enter the Old Trafford camp to soften the blow of Casemiro exiting.