A new midfielder must be a priority signing for Manchester United, with a new addition needed in the January transfer window.
Manchester United have looked much better this season, following a dismal 15th-place finish in the Premier League last campaign, not to mention the awful performance in the Europa League final loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Rúben Amorim has made several tactical tweaks that now see United sit above Liverpool and Newcastle United, with one game less played. A win against Everton on Monday night could take the Red Devils as high as fourth.
The main catalyst behind United’s good run of form appears to have been the resurgence of Casemiro. The Brazilian has been much closer to his Real Madrid self this year after his inconsistent season in 2024/25.
Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro – Amorim’s wide central defenders – have helped Casemiro in midfield, meaning he can focus on winning back possession, rather than covering 80 yards off the pitch on his own.
While United have looked much better, they often drop off around the 60-minute mark, when Casemiro makes way and Manuel Ugarte replaces him. One shocking statistic has now proved Casemiro’s importance to the team.
United lead league for shocking statistic
Since Senne Lammens replaced Altay Bayindir against Sunderland, United have looked much better defensively, although some defensive concerns remain.
BBC Sport via Opta have now revealed that United lead the Premier League for goals conceded during the second half, with 14 goals, two goals clear of AFC Bournemouth and others.
United struggle much more when Casemiro leaves the field, and the drop off from him to Ugarte appears to have caused this shocking statistic.
A new midfielder has to be the focus for the January transfer window, as United can’t afford to lose so much stability with just one substitution, especially one that needs to happen almost every game, due to Casemiro’s age.
If United sign a capable replacement, Casemiro could be saved for the bigger games, and he could stay on for the full 90 minutes, as another appearance wouldn’t be necessary the following week.
Amorim in for December shock
United’s last, and only, mid-week fixture of this season was in the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town at the end of August. But, in December, United will play two mid-week games, before another at the start of January.
Casemiro will not be able to play in every match next month, leaving Amorim forced to rely on Ugarte or Kobbie Mainoo – two players he doesn’t favour in the defensive midfield role.
Read More: “I don’t really…” – Noussair Mazraoui reveals why he is key under Rúben Amorim
United won’t be as good without the Brazilian and could be set to ship more goals, as they often do in the second half when he is replaced.
The Red Devils will also be without Amad, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui towards the end of the month.
Jason Wilcox, United’s Director of Football, must begin searching for a new midfielder and prepare a deal for the early days of the new year. December and January will be difficult for Amorim and United.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 14:00 pm (GMT) on the United View YouTube channel.