Manchester United have been freshly linked with Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana, with Casemiro set to leave the club in the summer.
Manchester United’s summer will be busier than most other Premier League clubs, not least because they are currently without a head coach to start the 2026/27 season, although Michael Carrick appears to be more of an option day by day.
Apart from the managerial search, the biggest issue for director of football Jason Wilcox to solve is United’s midfield problem, as it seems to be every summer.
In last summer’s transfer window, United made a late approach for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba, but the high price tag made it impossible to complete a deal before the deadline, with United also still searching for Senne Lammens at that time.
With Casemiro now confirmed to be leaving in the summer, United’s need for a new midfielder is growing ever stronger.
The end of the season is fast approaching, and United have now been linked with Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana.
Villa respond to Onana links
Some fans feel Amadou Onana could be the perfect replacement for Casemiro, as he not only replaces his on-the-ball quality but also his aerial presence, which will definitely be missed at Old Trafford.
With fans beginning to get excited, transfer specialist Pete O’Rourke explained the situation on the Transfer Insider Podcast.
“I don’t think Emery would welcome any move for Onana. He has become a key man for his side,” he said. “He wants to keep him and build his team around his best players and Onana is definitely one of those. So I don’t think Villa would welcome any interest from Manchester United.
“We know United want midfield reinforcements. Onana is a player that they’ve had previous interest in. So I think it’s one of those where he probably still remains on the list.
“But he’s probably not at the top of it. We know all the other names that they’ve been linked with, the likes of Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson. I think they would all figure above Onana.”
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The midfield shortlist
With Onana now on United’s list, it seems Wilcox has a five-man list to replace Casemiro this summer: Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Amadou Onana, Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton. But in what order?
Read More: Casemiro’s future plan revealed as Manchester United star rejects return to former club
After O’Rourke’s words, it seems Onana is at the bottom of United’s shortlist, likely just behind Newcastle United’s Tonali. While the Italian is clearly a huge talent, he has only recently been linked with United, unlike the other three.
Baleba appeared to be the frontrunner for a long while, but his performances this season could leave him at the bottom of the top three, although that could make him a cheaper option. Anderson and Wharton could cost upwards of £100 million, but both have shown exceptional talent this season.
For United, signing Anderson would make the most sense as he would be the best partner for Kobbie Mainoo, but only time will tell if the Nottingham Forest midfielder is at the top of the list.
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