{"id":46878,"date":"2026-05-07T16:45:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T20:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/manchester-uniteds-favorites-to-sign-worlds-strongest-dm\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T16:45:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T20:45:36","slug":"manchester-uniteds-favorites-to-sign-worlds-strongest-dm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/manchester-uniteds-favorites-to-sign-worlds-strongest-dm\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United&#8217;s favorites to sign &#8216;world&#8217;s strongest DM&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/manchester-uniteds-favorites-to-sign-worlds-strongest-dm\/#Manchester_United_favorites_to_sign_Casemiros_replacement_from_Serie_A\" >Manchester United favorites to sign Casemiro&#8217;s replacement from Serie A<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/manchester-uniteds-favorites-to-sign-worlds-strongest-dm\/#Manchester_Uniteds_richest_contract_in_history\" >Manchester United&#8217;s richest contract in history<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/manchester-uniteds-favorites-to-sign-worlds-strongest-dm\/#Comparison_of_Ederson_and_Casemiro_in_his_prime\" >Comparison of Ederson and Casemiro in his prime<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/05\/07\/manchester-uniteds-favorites-to-sign-worlds-strongest-dm\/#He_was_a_monster_against_Liverpool_Manchester_United_star_becomes_new_Mainu\" >He was a monster against Liverpool: Manchester United star becomes new Mainu<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&#8220;Tell them I&#8217;ll fix it,&#8221; were the words Casemiro wrote to his agent, the Brazilian watching away at Brentford as Manchester United sunk into the nadir of what is arguably the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>There were no bruised egos if he didn&#8217;t become Erik ten Hag&#8217;s first-choice target that summer after his long pursuit of Frenkie de Jong. The \u00a370 million man had to wait until October for his first start in the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>From his first goal away at Stamford Bridge and the heart-pounding celebration that followed, Casemiro&#8217;s dedication to the cause was undeniable and it&#8217;s no wonder he is now enjoying a farewell tour during his final game at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n<p>    In both boxes, the 34-year-old will leave a huge hole to fill for next summer, but there are a number of potential replacements being considered in that midfield department.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"man-utd-favourites-to-sign-casemiro-replacement-from-serie-a\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Manchester_United_favorites_to_sign_Casemiros_replacement_from_Serie_A\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Manchester United favorites to sign Casemiro&#8217;s replacement from Serie A<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&#8220;One more year, Casemiro&#8221; continues to echo through the Theater of Dreams, but the former Real Madrid man this week reiterated that his decision is final, with just three games remaining in a United shirt.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"3\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Casemiro &#8211; 24\/25 vs 25\/26<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>24\/25<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Statistics (*per game)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>25\/26<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>twenty four<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>33<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>the goal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>9<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>assist<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>80%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Pass accuracy*<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>81%<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Key pass*<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>1.0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>A big opportunity has arisen<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>4<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>1<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>missed a big opportunity<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>3.5<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Tackle*<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Intercept*<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>0.9<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>64%<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Total Win Duels*<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>53%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>When it comes to signing a suitable successor, it&#8217;s no secret that Nottingham Forest&#8217;s Elliott Anderson is a priority target, despite rivals Manchester City chasing the \u00a3120m sensation.<\/p>\n<p>INEOS do not appear to be able to afford such an expense, as they are likely to need two, if not three, midfielders depending on Manuel Ugarte&#8217;s future, and could be certain to land Casemiro&#8217;s replacement at a more affordable price.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"man-utd-most-expensive-signings-of-all-time\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Manchester_Uniteds_richest_contract_in_history\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tManchester United&#8217;s richest contract in history<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Many of their additions have not lived up to expectations. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In fact, as reported by TuttoAtalanta, the Old Trafford side are thought to be the frontrunners to sign fellow Brazilian Ederson from Atalanta this summer.<\/p>\n<p>The report suggests the 26-year-old is set to bid farewell to the Serie A outfit at the end of the season, with United said to be a &#8220;clear lead&#8221; over Atletico Madrid in the race to sign him.<\/p>\n<p>    This follows previous reports suggesting the former Salernitana player could be available for a fee of around \u00a342 million with one year remaining on his current contract.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-ederson-compares-to-casemiro-in-his-prime\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Comparison_of_Ederson_and_Casemiro_in_his_prime\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Comparison of Ederson and Casemiro in his prime<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Casemiro, who scored nine goals in the 2025\/26 Premier League season, is enjoying perhaps his best season yet in Manchester, having made a full-fledged comeback after a difficult final few days as manager at Ten Hag.<\/p>\n<p>Despite his importance, it&#8217;s worth remembering that United never really got to see the panache of the South American, who won five Champions Leagues with Madrid and at one point emerged as arguably Europe&#8217;s best defensive midfielder.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, he was the glue that held everything together at the Bernab\u00e9u, a Monster Ball winner and the club&#8217;s attacking talent that blossomed ahead of him.<\/p>\n<p>    Although Ederson doesn&#8217;t operate at the very elite level of the European game, he certainly fits that box, having been hailed by Damiano El Faina as &#8220;the best defensive midfielder in the world&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Such accolades are not without merit, as the sought-after talent has had another excellent season in Italy, averaging 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game in Serie A, and averaging 4.5 ball recoveries per game.<\/p>\n<p>Boasting an 89% passing accuracy to boot, Ederson keeps things tidy in the heart of the park, doing the dirty work in an almost invisible way in Bergamo.<\/p>\n<p>Like Casemiro at his best, he is not the easiest guy to get around, having completed just 0.6 dribbles per game so far this season and averaging just 1.2 fouls.<\/p>\n<p>    He&#8217;s not reckless, he&#8217;s relentless, and he&#8217;s only been ejected once in 178 games with Atlanta, and that wasn&#8217;t a straight red.<\/p>\n<p>Incidentally, Casemiro was only sent off twice during his time at Madrid, and had never been directly sent off before joining United.<\/p>\n<p>In 2021\/22, the latter&#8217;s final season with Los Blancos, his record was not that different from Ederson&#8217;s, averaging 3.7 tackles and interceptions and boasting a passing accuracy of 86%.<\/p>\n<p>    Like Ederson, who has scored one league goal all season, Casemiro is not the free-scoring sensation he was in Manchester, finishing the season with just one goal in La Liga.<\/p>\n<p>The veteran player was something of an unsung hero at Madrid, but has emerged as something of a talisman in Manchester. Will Ederson do the same?<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"monster-vs-liverpool-man-utd-star-ayden-heaving-their-new-mainoo\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"440\" height=\"248\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mainu-Bruno-Fernandes-Man United\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mainoo-bruno-fernandes-man-utd.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=124&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mainoo-bruno-fernandes-man-utd.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=124&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"He_was_a_monster_against_Liverpool_Manchester_United_star_becomes_new_Mainu\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tHe was a monster against Liverpool: Manchester United star becomes new Mainu<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Manchester United won a dramatic 3-2 against Liverpool on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Tell them I&#8217;ll fix it,&#8221; were the words Casemiro wrote to his agent, the Brazilian watching away at Brentford as Manchester United sunk into the nadir of what is arguably the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. There were no bruised egos if he didn&#8217;t become Erik ten Hag&#8217;s first-choice target that summer after his long pursuit [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46505,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[3028,40,106,43,4955,2612,2025],"class_list":{"0":"post-46878","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-favorites","9":"tag-football","10":"tag-manchester","11":"tag-sign","12":"tag-strongest","13":"tag-uniteds","14":"tag-worlds"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46878","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46878"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46878\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46878"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}