Man Utd in fresh talks to sign World Cup star

From Angel Di Maria to Bastian Schweinsteiger, Manchester United has almost been a graveyard for high-profile players in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, with those Old Trafford stays proving short but certainly not sweet, it must be said.

Despite a notable wobble in 2024, in particular, Casemiro came out the other side to emerge as one of the few modern success stories, defying the expectation that he was merely here for just one final payday.

Legend status should be reserved for the true greats of United’s past, but cult hero might be a better way to describe the Brazilian, a man who seemingly relished a Carabao Cup success as much as his prior five Champions League wins at Real Madrid.

Having bowed out with nine Premier League goals in 2025/26, the full-blooded veteran will take some replacing this summer, with a similarly talismanic addition needed to fill that void.

Man Utd have held talks to sign high-profile Arsenal target

Elliot Anderson is Manchester City-bound, while United are facing a real fight to land Mateus Fernandes, amid the looming presence of free-spending Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lilywhites appear more than willing to rival the Red Devils for the Portuguese’s signature, albeit with both clubs seemingly close to agreeing personal terms with the player.

That comes amid Spurs’ parallel pursuit of Sandro Tonali, the Italian set to be the next marquee departure from Newcastle United, following Anthony Gordon’s £69m move to Barcelona.

Yet another exit from St James’ Park could also be on the cards too, however, with TEAMtalk reporting that Man United are among the clubs in the mix for Magpies skipper, Bruno Guimaraes.

As per the report, intermediaries have begun holding talks with a string of elite clubs regarding the Brazil midfielder, with United, Arsenal and Liverpool among those to have been contacted.

The 28-year-old is said to be concerned by the current direction on Tyneside, with Tonali and reported INEOS target Lewis Hall also teetering toward the exit door.

This comes after earlier reports this summer suggested that United had made an approach of their own to sign Guimaraes, although these could now be fresh talks regarding a deal.

Why Guimaraes could be the perfect Casemiro replacement at Man Utd

Be it Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, Alex Scott, Carlos Baleba or Adam Wharton, there’s a common theme regarding United’s list of midfield targets – youth.

That quintet are all aged 23 or under, suggesting that the priority is to splash the cash on a long-term Casemiro replacement to partner Kobbie Mainoo.

At a time when Michael Carrick‘s side are gearing up for a return to the Champions League, however, acquiring a more ready-made, proven figure like Guimaraes could be the better bet, with the ex-Lyon man having for so long been the frontman on Tyneside.

Since his arrival back in January 2022 to help kickstart the new PIF regime, Guimaraes has swiftly assumed talismanic status, taking on the captaincy in recent seasons too.

Across 195 games for the Magpies, he has chipped in with 31 goals and 32 assists in all competitions, almost singlehandedly dragging Eddie Howe’s team along at times.

That record isn’t too dissimilar to what Casemiro has achieved in United colours too, the 34-year-old boasting 26 goals and 14 assists in 160 games in total.

Like when the Old Trafford side forked out £70m to sign the Madrid hero four years ago, this would be a case of INEOS landing a player very much at the elite level, having been hailed as “one of the best midfielders in the world” by compatriot, Gabriel Martinelli.

Across 2025/26 too, for instance, Guimaraes did actually match Casemiro’s tally of nine goals, while also contributing five assists and creating seven ‘big chances’ in all.

Be it as a number eight or number six, there’s so much to like about his progressive, forward-thinking quality, having averaged a standout record of 1.6 key passes per game last season.

For comparison, during Casemiro’s United pomp in 2022/23, he wasn’t too far behind with an average of one key pass per game, having also created seven ‘big chances’ that year.

At present, the two men are lining up together in Brazil’s midfield, helping steer Carlo Ancelotti’s side to the top of the group despite an initial slow start against Morocco.

Where once Casemiro was the midfield driving force for his country, it is now the younger Guimaraes, however, with prior reports indicating that Casemiro has actually recommended his international colleague to United as a potential replacement for him.

He’s got the green light from his Brazil teammate, with his status as one of the Premier League’s leading midfielders already suggesting that Guimaraes could be the perfect man to slot in alongside Mainoo next season.