Gary Neville has pinpointed Manchester United's midfield as the critical area requiring urgent reinforcement this summer, specifically calling for the club to part ways with struggling defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte while navigating the impending departure of Casemiro.
Casemiro's Exit and Ugarte's Struggles Highlight Midfield Void
The former Real Madrid star, Casemiro, underscored his enduring value to the Red Devils by opening the scoring in their recent 3-1 victory over Aston Villa. This performance highlighted his crucial role in the team's most challenging fixtures this season. However, the club has decided not to activate the one-year extension clause in his contract, confirming his exit at the Premier League's conclusion.
In stark contrast, Manuel Ugarte has failed to make an impact since his high-profile £50.8 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024. The Uruguayan midfielder has not secured a single start under interim manager Michael Carrick and has been largely peripheral throughout the campaign.
Neville's Analysis and Summer Transfer Demands
'United need two central midfield players in the summer,' Neville asserted during his Sky Sports podcast. He contrasted the successful overhaul of the forward line last summer—which brought in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo to complement Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo—with the current midfield deficiencies.
'Manchester United didn't score enough goals last season and that's an absolute no-no here, you have to score goals, so they've corrected that,' Neville noted. 'There does look to be good options up top but the centre of midfield is a problem.'
Neville emphasized that while Kobbie Mainoo has been a positive presence since returning to the starting lineup under manager Ruben Amorim, the squad lacks depth. 'They're going to need three or four really good central midfielders,' he reiterated. 'At the moment, they've got Mainoo who you can buy into, but you can't really look at any of the others and think that's going to work.'
He explicitly linked the two expected departures: 'Casemiro is leaving and I think Ugarte will leave so they need two really good central midfield players. Probably one that's more positional, maybe like a Michael Carrick-type, and one that is more of a destroyer.'
Potential Replacements and Ongoing Speculation
Among the candidates reportedly under consideration at Old Trafford are promising talents such as Nottingham Forest's Eliot Anderson and Brighton's Carlos Baleba, who was a target last summer. However, neither possesses the proven pedigree and Champions League-winning experience of Casemiro, whose absence will leave a significant void.
Ugarte's tenure at United has been disappointing across two seasons, under managers Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, and now Michael Carrick. He has frequently drawn criticism from supporters and pundits alike. The club reportedly explored a loan move for him in January, with Galatasaray showing interest, but he ultimately remained in England.
Calls for a reversal of the decision on Casemiro intensified after his influential performance against Aston Villa, but Carrick dismissed any speculation of a change in plans during his post-match press conference.
'When something is decided, in some ways, the fact that it's decided makes things a little bit easier and everyone understands the situation really,' the interim manager stated. He praised Casemiro's impact, particularly his influence in big moments and goal contributions, and highlighted the respectful connection with supporters as a fitting farewell.
Neville concluded that while defensive issues also require attention, the midfield must be the absolute priority in the upcoming transfer window to ensure United can compete effectively next season.
