Manchester United are looking for a midfielder and there is no one better suited to lead their pursuit than Michael Carrick, the English player who won a number of major accolades during a glittering 12-year playing career at Old Trafford.
Carrick, who signed for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2006, inherited Roy Keane’s number 16 shirt following his acrimonious departure a year earlier, and is no stranger to the effort to fill the legendary veteran midfielder’s place.
Twenty years on, Carrick – expected to be announced as United’s next permanent manager – will be tasked with overseeing a similar transition this summer, although the departure of Casemiro, 34, will leave a sizeable hole for next season.
The nine-goal Brazilian continued his fine form in last week’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, but the search for his replacement has already begun.
Manchester United begin new negotiations over £34m deal to replace Casemiro
Perhaps the most obvious candidate to feature alongside Koby Mainu is Carlos Baleva, with a deal for the 22-year-old already being considered for the summer of 2025.
Personal terms were agreed at this point, but Brighton & Hove Albion’s offer plus £100m proved to be prohibitive, setting the stage for a late window deal.
Amid talk of INEOS pursuing a move ahead of the World Cup, the Cameroonian is by all accounts back on the agenda, but further targets are also being planned.
Indeed, reports in Brazil via SportWitness claim that United have made “new inquiries” regarding a transfer for Botafogo star Danilo and have been in repeated contact regarding signing the 25-year-old.
The former Nottingham Forest midfielder revived his career in his home country and has since been named in Carlos Ancelotti’s World Cup squad, which could further raise his profile.
Botafogo want to prove that to be the case and are reportedly seeking around 40 million euros (approximately 3.4 billion yen) in transfer fees this summer.
Comparison of Danilo and Baleva in Manchester United’s midfield search
Whether related or not, United’s interest in Baleva comes after a difficult season at the Amex, with the youngster struggling to find consistency under manager Fabian Hürzeler.
He has been substituted three times, particularly at half-time, in the first seven Premier League games of the season, but has only started 23 games so far before United’s final game against Brighton.
His extended stint on international duty at AFCON has been a factor in his limited involvement, but the left-footer appears to have endured something of a setback at a time when he had every chance of reaching new heights.
Baleva – 24/25 vs 25/26 | ||
|---|---|---|
24/25 | Statistics (*per game) | 25/26 |
34 | game | 30 |
3 | the goal | 0 |
1 | assist | 0 |
0.6 | Key pass* | 0.2 |
88% | Pass accuracy* | 86% |
8.0 | Ball lost* | 5.5 |
2.3 | Tackle* | 1.2 |
1.4 | Intercept* | 0.9 |
5.8 | Recovery rate* | 3.3 |
55% | Total Win Duels* | 49% |
As for Danilo, the Brazilian has recovered from a late injury during his time at Forest and has once again emerged as a star in his current team, being hailed as a “phenomenon” by experts in his home country.
For example, in just 12 league games so far in Brazil’s top flight in 2026, the £34m-rated sensation has already scored seven goals and provided two assists, proving to be a box-destroying threat in a fluid No. 8 slot.
Due to his attacking intent, the left-footer creates five ‘big chances’ and averages 1.8 key passes per game, often seeking progressive forward passes from deep.
Such attacking quality is crucial now that Carrick and INEOS need to replace Casemiro, with the former Real Madrid man scoring nine goals in the league this season, creating four ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.1 key passes per game.
It must be said that there is a distinct lack of such end product in Baleva’s game, as the former Lille star is yet to register a single goal or assist in a league match in 2025/26.
He also only created one “big chance” and averaged just 0.2 key passes per game, keeping things tidy rather than trying to probe with sharp, penetrating passes.
The same was true last season, when Valeva averaged just 0.6 key passes, created just three “big chances” and scored and assisted just four times.
Danilo is no slouch when in possession, averaging 5.2 ball recoveries per game, which is also higher than Valeva’s average of just 3.3 this season.
The South American has made 62 appearances in English football, scoring 10 goals and providing an assist, and is not necessarily a big risk for INEOS, as Danilo could be a bargain and Baleva could be an upgrade this summer.
He wipes the floor with Baleva: Manchester United hold talks to sign £70m midfielder
Strengthening the midfield is key for Manchester United this summer.
