Former Manchester United forward Louis Saha has instructed his old club to consider two specific players as replacements for Casemiro ahead of the summer transfer window. The Brazilian midfielder's contract at Old Trafford is scheduled to expire at the end of the season, with the departure officially confirmed last month.
Midfield Reinforcements Sought
Manchester United are actively exploring options to bolster their midfield following Casemiro's impending exit. The Red Devils have been linked with several potential signings in recent months, including Carlos Baleba from Brighton, Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, and Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace. Additionally, speculation has intensified around Sandro Tonali's situation at Newcastle United, with reports suggesting the Italy international was offered to Arsenal on deadline day, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Saha's Recommendation
In an exclusive interview with AceOdds, Louis Saha elaborated on why he believes Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes would be ideal acquisitions for Manchester United. He praised Casemiro's contributions, stating, "I've always been a big fan and defender of Casemiro. He was asked to do one too many roles in the last two years, but that's been cut and now he's settled and his role is defined. He's proved he's a world-class player and I understand why the fans want him to stay."
Saha emphasized the need for aggression and midfield control, adding, "United need aggressiveness and someone that will dictate the midfield. I see someone more like Sandro Tonali or Bruno Guimaraes, who are two monsters in midfield. With players like Kobbie Mainoo, you need someone alongside him who has the experience and vision to manage the transition when Casemiro goes. You need that experience, directness, and divisiveness. It'll be hard to replace."
He further suggested that a combination of Adam Wharton and Bruno Guimaraes could be beneficial, noting Guimaraes' leadership qualities. Saha cautioned against relying solely on young talent, explaining, "If you bring in a young player, it's a disruption. It's great for the future, but you need experience."
Transfer Speculations and Denials
Recent weeks have seen swirling rumors about Sandro Tonali's future, with claims that his representative offered him to Arsenal, a statement later denied by his agent, Giuseppe Riso. Riso provided insight into Tonali's prospects, indicating that decisions will be made after the season concludes. He told Tuttosport, "Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League. These transfer discussions will take place later. We'll see how the season ends and then we'll decide what to do. There's no preference at the moment. It's still early. What we're saying today won't apply tomorrow. Newcastle couldn't let him go now, and there's no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club. We'll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer."
As Manchester United prepare for Casemiro's departure, the club faces critical decisions in the transfer market to strengthen their midfield for the upcoming season.
