Manchester United have already signed ‘The Beast’ to replace Casemiro

One of Manchester United’s top priorities this summer will be finding a replacement for Casemiro.

The Brazilian has confirmed the news that he is set to leave the club as a free agent in January, with INEOS now tasked with replacing the serial winners’ quality in the heart of the Red Devils’ midfield.

The big question is who will be his successor. INEOS did not hesitate to spend big on rebuilding Man United’s attack last summer and could spend again on transforming the midfield.

Who will replace Casemiro at Manchester United?

Two years ago, replacing Casemiro seemed like a routine task. After all, this was an aging midfielder who looked well beyond his best. If anything, he looked like a bigger responsibility at Old Trafford.

But fast forward to 2026 and it’s fair to suggest he’s become a force to be reckoned with under manager Michael Carrick. All of a sudden, it doesn’t seem easy to find replacements, and it doesn’t seem like they’ll be cheap either.

Two big names that threaten to steal the headlines in this field are Elliott Anderson and Adam Wharton. The English duo have impressed throughout this season and remain two of the Premier League’s hottest players.

Recent reports suggest there could be a battle between Manchester clubs for Anderson, with Manchester City also said to be plotting to sign the Nottingham Forest player worth around £90m this summer.

On the other hand, there is plenty of competition for Wharton. Along with United, Liverpool are also reportedly interested in the Crystal Palace player, sparking a new row between the rival clubs.

If INEOS are willing to spend a lot of money, Anderson is the perfect fit for them. He will change their midfield. The only question will be whether he can be persuaded to ignore Man City’s pursuit in favor of a summer move to Old Trafford.

No outfield player has made a better recovery than the Forest star, who outshone Casemiro and Wharton in every other department.

But what if INEOS didn’t have to spend so much money? Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made no secret of his desire to save money so far, and Man United could still find a replacement for Casemiro much closer than they think.

Manchester United’s in-house Casemiro replacement

External options are attractive, but Manchester United should always encourage managers to look to the academy. It’s how Marcus Rashford burst onto the scene, how Koby Mainu did the same in recent memory, and how INEOS could save the best part of £90m.

The Old Trafford outfit could turn to young Sekou Kone instead of Wharton or Anderson in their search for Casemiro’s long-term replacement. The 20-year-old signed with the club in the summer of 2024 and is currently on loan at Swiss side Lausanne Sport until the end of the season, but he is a player to watch if he returns this summer.

Scout Antonio Mango believed the young midfielder could become a “beast” under Ruben Amorim and that the U23 scout may have been on the right track.

Even without Amorim, Kone could be a key man for years to come under the right manager, whether it’s Carrick or someone like Roberto De Zerbi this summer.

Although he hasn’t featured much in Switzerland this season, the Manchester United youngster showed glimpses of his quality in Lausanne.

He first came to prominence with Mali at the Under-17 World Cup, where he proved to be a tireless midfielder in exactly the same mold as Anderson.

Additionally, while on loan, he showed little hesitation when stepping forward to join Lausanne’s press, one of the many qualities that would have stood out under a manager like De Zerbi at Man United.