Manchester United are expected to look for a new midfielder at the conclusion of the season to replace Casemiro, who is no longer the player he was during his time at Real Madrid. The 32-year-old’s decline has become increasingly apparent in recent months, and it would not be surprising if the Red Devils seek a replacement when the bidding opens in the summer.

Express Sport looks at four individuals who could replace Casemiro in the centre of the park next season…

Amadou Onana

Amadou Onana has been linked with a move away from Everton for some time, having established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. United were said to be interested in him in January, but nothing came of it, and he remained at Goodison Park.

Given Everton’s financial woes, the club may be more willing to trade Onana at the end of the season, allowing United to take advantage. They are unlikely to be the only team vying for his signature, with Barcelona and Arsenal also rumored to be interested.

Aurelien Tchouameni

Liverpool were heavily linked with a deal for Aurelien Tchouameni while he was at Monaco before joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2022. He went on to play an important role in the club’s Champions League victory in his debut season at the Bernabeu, but has recently struggled for playing time.

Due to an injury problem, the Frenchman was recently utilized as a replacement centre-back, with Eduardo Camavinga edging him out of the midfield pecking order. A move to United could allow Tchouameni to excel in his preferred position, but there is no certainty that he would be willing to leave Spain for England at the conclusion of the season.

João Palhinha

Fulham have done well to maintain Joao Palhinha for as long as they have, given his excellent ability in the middle of the pitch. He was on the verge of joining Bayern Munich in the summer when the deal fell through at the last minute, but a move away from Craven Cottage is still possible at the next opportunity.

Palhinha has Premier League experience, which would be a significant advantage for United if he joins them at Old Trafford. They would undoubtedly be getting a savvy operator in the engine room, as no midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues has averaged more tackles per game than Palhinha this season.

Frenkie De Jong

United’s long-standing interest in Frenkie de Jong dates back to 2022, when Erik ten Hag targeted him during his first season as manager of the Red Devils. De Jong was claimed to have stated unequivocally that he was not interested in leaving Barcelona, but United may be persuaded to see whether his opinion has changed by the conclusion of the season.

However, given De Jong’s importance to Xavi’s side, a deal would almost probably not be done cheaply. He is also considered to be highly prized by Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who has reportedly set a £90 million price tag on the Dutchman ahead of the summer transfer season.