With Casemiro’s recent announcement that he will be leaving Manchester United at the end of this season, a potential midfield target’s stance on a move to Old Trafford has been revealed.
Manchester United endured a difficult start as Arsenal seized control, limiting the visitors to only brief spells in the attacking half. The sustained pressure paid dividends just before the half-hour mark when Lisandro Martínez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
That opener prompted a swift reaction from Michael Carrick’s side. Bryan Mbeumo nearly responded straight away but was undone by a heavy touch, before redeeming himself seven minutes later by capitalising on a loose back pass from Martin Zubimendi and coolly rounding David Raya to bring United level.
United took that momentum into the second period and completed the turnaround five minutes after the restart, Patrick Dorgu firing in a superb strike to put his side ahead.
Arsenal appeared to have rescued a point with a late, scrappy equaliser from a corner, but substitute Matheus Cunha had the final say. The Brazilian rifled home an excellent winner in the 87th minute to seal a dramatic victory for United.
Marc Casado’s reaction to Man Utd links revealed
One player who once again stood out was Casemiro, who, against Arsenal, was once again excellent, being the rock in the midfield. He completed 88% of his passes, dropping back into the defence late in the game to make sure United saw out the game.
Following his announcement that he will not be extending his contract at the club past this summer, Manchester United’s search for midfield reinforcements in the summer has ramped up, with Barcelona’s Marc Casado being identified as a target.
As reported by CaughtOffside, Casado is open to leaving Barcelona in the summer in search of consistent minutes after only playing 634 minutes in the league this season.
It’s reported that despite impressing coaches with his ability in the midfield, competition for a starting spot in the midfield is near impossible, with Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Fermin Lopez all considered higher up in the pecking order than Casado.
Man Utd set for complete midfield revamp
Kobbie Mainoo has enjoyed a new lease of life since Michael Carrick took over at Manchester United after having been frozen out of the squad under Ruben Amorim, even being rumoured to be leaving in the January window.
The Englishman has paired up well with Casemiro in the midfield, firmly establishing himself as a key part of the squad going forward.
With Casemiro leaving the club this summer and Manuel Ugarte not looking like it’ll ever work out for him at the club, Mainoo will be the only established figure in the midfield, meaning Man Utd need to be busy in the summer to add some key depth to that department.
Last summer, Manchester United decided to completely overhaul their forward line, bringing in Cunha, Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško. Now, this summer, it looks like it will be the midfield’s turn for a revamp, and if the club can bring in their reported main target, Elliot Anderson, as well as Marc Casado and, if Ugarte is sold, another option, then they would find themselves in a good position to push on further next season.
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