Manchester United are having a great summer on and off the pitch, but their long-term future will depend heavily on decisions up and down the league.
The management role has been an area of great debate in recent months, but Michael Carrick is only currently holding the role on a temporary basis.
It remains to be seen whether the Red Devils’ board will offer the 44-year-old, who has won seven of his 10 games as manager, a permanent post.
The first team will be strengthened again in the summer transfer window, and INEOS will likely focus on strengthening their midfield division.
A number of players have already been linked with a move to Old Trafford during the off-season, with speculation rife as to who the club’s top targets may be.
Manchester United approach to sign European midfielder
In recent days, Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali has been named as one of United’s main targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Italian looks almost certain to leave the Magpies at the end of this season, especially if Eddie Howe’s side fail to qualify for the Champions League.
However, signing the 25-year-old could cost the Red Devils a significant amount of money, with an £80m transfer fee currently being mooted for his deal.
There is reportedly interest in Tonali ahead of the summer, but he is not the only player on the table at the moment, with another name being considered, Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via TEAMtalk, United have approached the Bayern Munich star on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.
The paper also notes that fellow Premier League side Arsenal are also firmly in the race to sign the 31-year-old, who is said to be interested in a move to England’s top flight.
TEAMtalk also added to the report from Italy, saying the Red Devils appear to have an advantage over the Gunners in the race to sign the German player.
However, his salary could be a problem, with his wages at Bayern reportedly being around £300,000 a week.
Why Goretzka is United’s Casemiro 2.0
United have been looking to add further midfield reinforcements in recent months, following Casemiro’s departure.
The Brazilian, who joined from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022, announced earlier this term that he would leave Old Trafford when his contract expires this summer.
The 34-year-old endured a period of redemption at the Red Devils, even becoming a key member of the Red Devils’ starting eleven despite being linked with a departure last summer.
He has now featured in all but two league games so far and has scored in seven games, making him the club’s third-highest scorer this term.
Casemiro’s staggering £350,000-a-week salary, the highest of any player at the club, was undoubtedly a factor in the decision, which could provide significant funding for a replacement.
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Replacing a player like the Brazilian could pose a difficult task for the board, with the aforementioned Goretzka appearing to be the latest target on the shortlist.
But the German could also follow in the footsteps of Casemiro, the latest experienced winner to join United from fellow European giants this summer.
The 31-year-old currently enjoys an impressive career, having won six Bundesliga titles and one UEFA Champions League title in eight years with Munich.
With a track record like this, Goretzka would be a better addition than Tonali this summer, with Goretzka gaining important experience at the top level and allowing the Red Devils to fight for trophies once again.
But the German, described as “incredible” by Sami Khedira, also managed to outperform Tonali in several key areas this term.
The Bayern star has made more tackles per 90 and interceptions per 90 this season, giving United the ball-winning presence they lacked with Casemiro’s departure.
Leon Goretzka – Bundesliga statistics (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | tally |
games played | twenty four |
goals and assists | 3 |
Pass accuracy | 93% |
An opportunity has arisen | 1.1 |
Dribbling completed | 82% |
Touches per 90 | 90.1 |
The tackle I made | 1.8 |
Number of intercepts | 1.4 |
He also dominated the Italian star in possession, completing numerous dribbles and passes he attempted in the league throughout the 2025/26 season.
Signing Goretzka on a free transfer will give the Red Devils the experienced winner they need at the heart of their squad, especially with Casemiro moving on to pastures new.
There is no doubt that Tonali remains the first choice for many fans at the moment, but considering the German is available on a free transfer, signing him in this window should be a no-brainer.
Manchester United open talks to replace ‘Pogba-like’ Casemiro for £60m
Manchester United are looking for a replacement for Casemiro.
