Manchester United's midfield reinforcement plan! Must sign star defensive midfielder, new prodigy seeks guidance from Casemiro with dual approach.

How will Manchester United rebuild their midfield lineup this summer? It is certain that the club is determined to truly compete for the title next season, and will therefore bring in at least two strong new midfield players.

Manchester United lost to Leeds at home last week, then won away at Chelsea, but the team hasn't substantially improved; deciding match outcomes relied more on "luck." These two matches indeed highlight the urgent need for squad reform in the summer window.

Kobbie Mainoo is destined to become a key midfielder for Manchester United next season, and he will renew his contract for five years with a weekly wage of £120,000 to £150,000. The club has reason to trust him, as in these two matches, when Mainoo was injured and absent, the team lost 1-2 to Leeds. Substitute Manuel Ugarte again performed poorly, unable to adequately support Casemiro.

When the 20-year-old Mainoo returned at Stamford Bridge, he played a significant role. Although Manchester United's 1-0 win over Chelsea wasn't perfect, victory relied more on luck. However, with Mainoo on the field, the team's control and composure greatly improved.

Moreover, with Michael Carrick missing four out of five central defenders, Mainoo's defensive commitment was better than before, freezing Chelsea's Cole Palmer and helping achieve a rare clean sheet. After the match, news emerged of Mainoo's imminent contract renewal, and British media also disclosed that Manchester United hopes 33-year-old Casemiro will mentor this academy prodigy as much as possible before leaving.

Journalist Ian Owen revealed: "I hear that exchanges between Mainoo and Casemiro have noticeably increased. The whole team feels it; everyone hopes to facilitate Casemiro's passing of knowledge to him, because time is running out. So, those brief post-training exchanges and skill-sharing sessions are getting longer—not just for Mainoo, everyone wants to absorb some of Casemiro's expertise."

Mainoo possesses the personal strength of composure in possession, but he still has a huge gap compared to Casemiro in defensive positioning, late runs for goals, and passing. Next season, Manchester United will compete in the Premier League, Champions League, and two domestic cups; Mainoo needs to improve himself. Currently, he excels under the shelter of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro; if he were to be the sole core, he still wouldn't be adequate.

This is why reforming the midfield lineup this summer is a top priority for Manchester United; considerable time and effort have been invested in planning how to best utilize the transfer budget. The UK's Daily Telegraph disclosed that Manchester United knows it must ensure building a squad with complementary player abilities.

Previously, people mocked Manchester United's midfield signings as akin to throwing mud at a wall and seeing what sticks. But this summer window, football director Jason Wilcox and transfer chief Christopher Vivell深知 that achieving the grand ambition of winning by the club's 150th anniversary in 2028 will largely depend on the performance of midfielders signed this summer.

Casemiro is definitely leaving, and if Ugarte also departs, Manchester United might even bring in a third new midfielder. Finding a player capable of long-term performance in the No. 6 role, with excellent passing and ball control—essentially Casemiro's successor—is crucial.

Compatibility with Mainoo is also an unavoidable criterion. Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton possesses efficient passing technique, but his physical profile is too similar to Mainoo, making him less suitable as a partner in a 4231 double pivot, which would leave the midfield without a shield. Therefore, unless Wharton agrees to be a substitute, he is unlikely to be Manchester United's choice.

Manchester United needs a midfielder with genuine strong running ability to partner with Mainoo for smoother team operation. Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson has long been considered the most suitable, and Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni has recently entered the rumors.

In terms of age, characteristics, and personality, the 23-year-old Anderson meets many of Manchester United's requirements. But if Nottingham Forest avoids relegation, persuading them to sell might require at least £100 million in fixed transfer fees, which could be too high for Manchester United. Especially since rival Manchester City is also very interested in Anderson and is considered the current frontrunner.

Manchester United does not want to spread efforts across too many signings nor sign mediocre players, mistakes the club has made in past recruitment. But the club's budget is limited, and there are many targets, so funds must be used wisely.

The 26-year-old Tchouaméni is also considered a good option, but his acquisition similarly requires meeting more prerequisites first. Real Madrid must secure a replacement before considering a transfer.

Florentino Pérez has been monitoring Manchester City's Rodri. In many aspects, Rodri fits the "Galácticos" signing criteria: born in Madrid, captain of the Spanish national team, and a Ballon d'Or winner. Though 29 years old is somewhat advanced, Rodri has clearly expressed willingness to join Real Madrid, which could open the door for a transfer.

If Manchester City secures Anderson, Manchester United might have a chance to pursue Tchouaméni, or another French midfield powerhouse from Real Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga. But nothing is settled; it must be noted that Manchester City has offered Rodri a new contract and seems unwilling to lose him.

Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali is also on Manchester United's candidate list. The 26-year-old Italian midfielder also fits the traits Manchester United seeks; the only obstacles are a transfer fee exceeding £80 million and a weekly wage of £200,000.

Fans can also see various slightly changed rumors, such as Brighton's Carlos Baleba, priced at £100 million last year. The 22-year-old Cameroon international performed poorly this season, but he is one of the midfielders Manchester United has background-checked.

The 22-year-old Alex Scott is another midfielder linked with Manchester United; his performances at Bournemouth have won much fan admiration. The 25-year-old João Gomes will definitely leave Wolves at a lower price after relegation is confirmed. The valuation of 21-year-old Portuguese international Matheus Fernandes might change depending on whether West Ham relegates. But these players all raise the same question: Do they, paired with Mainoo, have the capability to challenge for the Premier League title? Currently, the answer appears to be no.