The new Casemiro has already told Man Utd he wants to sign for them

Champions League football is back on the menu for Manchester United. It’s a success that has surely landed Michael Carrick the job on a permanent basis. At this point, you’d be a fool not to give him the reins.

That said, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does offer a cautionary tale. He was a friendly face, a well-loved figure. However, Carrick has a bit more to him than that and has the tools at his diposal to be a success.

Chiefly, the hierachy is in a much better place than when Ole was in the dugout. Sure, Sir Jim and Co may not have got everything right but it’s certainly a more efficient machine now.

It’s a big summer for those at board level. Not only must they work out who the next manager will be, but they need to oversee a significant investment into the playing squad. The chief assignment will be signing a new midfielder.

The latest on Manchester United’s midfield hunt

As the weeks go by, it feels increasingly unlikely that Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson will end up in the red side of Manchester.

He is United’s number one target and they would love to be able to entice him to Old Trafford. However, with a price tag that could soar to £100m, it has understandably made rivals Manchester City the favourites to secure his signature.

A club must always have a backup plan and fortunately for the Red Devils, their midfield shortlist is more of a longlist. Ederson features high on their agenda with reports this week suggesting they have already made the player a contract offer.

Speaking of contract offers, United have already completed plenty of legwork on another midfielder. That happens to be Carlos Baleba.

While the likes of Tonali and Anderson remain the big money targets, there is a belief that Baleba may cost a little less, somewhere in the £75m-£80m.

That’s still a big fee but unlike Nottingham Forest’s star man, the Brighton midfielder has given United assurances that he wants to move to sign for them.

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano. Writing in his column for GiveMeSport this week, the journalist noted: “Anderson remains among the top targets in midfield, but Manchester City are leading the race with an important proposal expected to the player and to Nottingham Forest as well. Talks will follow soon, although Manchester United are still attentive to the situation.”

Speaking on other targets, Romano revealed: “Brighton and Hove Albion’s Baleba and Ederson of Atalanta are both on the shortlist since last summer, with Baleba – valued at £80m according to separate reports – already having an agreement on personal terms with United since August 2025.”

Why Baleba could be Man United’s new Casemiro

The form of United’s tough-tackling Brazilian this term has been remarkable. With nine goals in 33 Premier League games, it’s the best goalscoring season of his entire career.

Yet, he will be leaving in the summer when his contract expires, reportedly bound for Inter Miami where he’ll join Lionel Messi and Co.

He will leave big shoes to fill, shoes that would be filled excellently by somebody like Anderson. The fact, however, is that the jury is still very much out on Baleba.

Get the 2024/25 version of the Cameroon midfielder and you are onto a winner. Get the 2025/26 version and this could be a Manuel Ugarte repeat for those at Old Trafford.

Indeed, the data points to a player who has regressed from that breakout campaign 18 months ago, something that should concern whoever the new manager will be.

Analysing the numbers, it’s an alarming trend, but it is easy to forget that Baleba is still only 22 years of age. He’s got plenty of room to grow and he does have Premier League experience. He’s already proven he can do it at the top level.

If United get the 2024/25 version, then he would represent an excellent replacement for Casemiro. During that term, he was among the top 15% of midfielders in the Premier League for dribbles per 90 with 1.11, demonstrating a progressive ability that would add a great deal to the United side. After all, if there was one criticism of Casemiro, it’s that he no longer has the legs to gallop through the middle of the park.

At his best, Baleba was also among the best 17% of midfielders in England’s top flight for duels won with 6.71 per 90.

To put those two numbers into context, United’s big Brazilian has won 6.61 duels per 90 minutes in 2025/26, putting him pretty much on par with the Brighton star from last season. In that regard, they are very alike. However, Casemiro makes just 0.22 dribbles per game.

In terms of ball progression and energy, they would certainly be getting an upgrade on ageing and tiring legs. In terms of physicality, Baleba has proven he’s a match. If United complete a deal, then he would need to find the form of 2024/25 pretty swiftly.