After months of speculation over his future, it has been confirmed that Brazilian midfielder Casemiro will leave Manchester United at the end of his current contract.
The 33-year-old has enjoyed a resurgence at Old Trafford in recent months, but it is clearly not enough to secure a new contract with the Red Devils.
He has made 20 appearances in the Premier League so far this season, scoring four times and is currently the club’s third top scorer.
But there is no doubt that his £350,000-a-week wage (a club record) played a key role in the decision to part ways with the experienced star.
As a result, the board will definitely have to start formulating potential alternatives, with various options already on the radar during the ongoing period.
Former PL star wants to move to Manchester United this month
United have been looking at a number of potential additions to replace the departing Casemiro, and Borussia Dortmund star Felix Nmeka is just one of the players they have in their sights at the moment.
The German star is reportedly praised by staff behind the scenes at Old Trafford, but his deal could cost up to £52m if he is signed this winter.
But they are not alone in their pursuit of the 25-year-old, with fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur also firmly in the race to sign him this month.
Nmeka is not the only player the Red Devils have in their sights at the moment, with Besiktas star Wilfred Ndidi also being linked with a move to Michael Carrick’s side.
According to a Spanish media outlet, the Nigeria international wants to return to the Premier League after leaving Leicester City to join the Turkish side last summer.
The report also states that no offers have been made for the 29-year-old’s signature yet, but his name is constantly mentioned backstage at the Theater of Dreams.
The article further confirms that behind-the-scenes staff see the player as the perfect option to strengthen the Premier League’s proven midfield division, while Ndidi is said to have made an offer to the club himself.
Why Ndidi is perfect for Manchester United’s Mainu
Ruben Amorim’s tenure as United manager has been memorable for fans and players alike, but opportunities have been extremely difficult to come by for players like Koby Mainu.
The season before he took over, the Englishman scored the winning goal against Wolves and also scored in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
However, the 20-year-old did not start a single league game before being sacked at the start of January, but has already made a comeback since Carrick’s temporary appointment.
Mainu started against Josep Guardiola’s side last weekend and went on to complete 91% of his attempted passes and find teammates on 100% of his long balls.
Figures like these demonstrate the youngster’s talent with the ball at his feet, and he has gained a reputation for this at Old Trafford in recent years.
However, Ndidi’s move could be perfect for the youngster for years to come, as the Nigerian can act as a deep anchor to break up play before feeding Mainu.
His stats for the 2025-26 season in Turkey show his talent outside of possession and could allow for the perfect partnership in the heart of the Red Devils’ squad.
Described as “outstanding” by Statman Dave, Ndidi made 2.9 successful tackles and 5.9 wins in 90 duels during the ongoing season.
Figures like this highlight his uncanny ability to win the ball back into the team, something Casemiro has done with ease in the first team recently.
Wilfred Ndidi – Super League Statistics (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | tally |
games played | 14 |
Play time (minutes) | 1196 |
Pass accuracy | 84% |
Dribbling completed | 67% |
The tackle I made | 2.9 |
won a duel | 5.9 |
aerial won | 2.1 |
Number of intercepts | 1.5 |
Statistics by FotMob | |
As for the Nigerian, he has made 5.4 ball recoveries per 90 so far this season, while also making 1.5 interceptions per 90, further underscoring his ability to break up plays in a deep role.
But with the ball at his feet, he performed just as well, completing 84% of the passes he attempted and posting a 67% dribble success rate.
From all the aforementioned statistics, it is clear that the former Leicester star is a player who can dominate at both ends of the pitch, certainly confirming Statman Dave’s comments about him.
With Casemiro’s departure looming, the club needs another experienced ball-winning option in midfield, and Ndidi could provide Carrick with just that.
It is unclear how much this winter’s deal will cost, but it is one that should be pursued and Mainu could also benefit from a move in the coming months.
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