Carrick confirms Man Utd plan to replace Casemiro despite Fernandes plea to keep in-form midfielder

Suraj Radia

• 16 Mar 2026 09:01 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Casemiro is still on course to leave Manchester United this summer, with seven names already on the club’s shortlist to replace him despite calls from teammates to retain the in-form midfielder.

The 34-year-old scored his seventh goal of the season to open the scoring in United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, nodding in Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick for the second game in a row.

No player has scored more goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season (six) and United fans were left chanting ‘one more year’ to Casemiro, who the club have confirmed they will let go when his contract expires in June.

Speaking after the win at Old Trafford, Fernandes admitted that he would ‘prefer Casemiro didn’t go’ but interim boss Michael Carrick believes the Brazilian’s form is a ‘nice moment’ to round off his time at the club.

"I think in some ways it's difficult to say, I think it's when something's decided and in some ways the fact that it was decided makes things a little bit easier and everyone understands the situation really,” Carrick said when asked about the potential of a u-turn over Casemiro’s future.

"It was a nice moment at the end there with the supporters and having that connection, and the respect. That was a nice moment. I think you'll enjoy that one.”

Replacing Casemiro – the names on Man Utd’s shortlist

United have already outlined plans to sign at least two midfielders this summer in light of Casemiro’s eventual departure, with offers set to be considered for Manuel Ugarte, while speculation continues to persist over the future of Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.

While plenty of targets have been scouted and suggested in recent months, the Daily Mail have named seven players that have been ‘discussed internally’ and are likely to be among United’s priority options for the summer.

Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson is said to be ‘top of the list’, while Carlos Baleba remains a target after a failed approach to sign the Brighton midfielder last summer.

Tyler Adams, Adam Wharton, Joao Gomes, Sandro Tonali and Felix Nmecha are also players United have considered and it will largely come down to which combination of midfielders can prove affordable and feasible for the club.

The likes of Ederson from Atalanta and Bayern Munch’s Leon Goretzka are also understood to be targets, particularly with their market values proving tempting for United, with plenty of other positions also needing investment in the summer.

Carrick hints at ‘different direction’ for Casemiro replacement

While United’s targets are younger and considered more athletic than Casemiro, none have the same level of pedigree and experience as the ex-Real Madrid star, however Carrick insisted that replacing his dressing room leader may require a different type of ‘balance’.

"I think this is totally no disrespect to Case, he's been fantastic, he has been a big player for us and has been important in the dressing room and one that I have spoken to and connected with really well," Carrick said.

"But I think as a club and as a team, your players come and go, some may be bigger, some may be more important than others at different times.

"I don't think it's ever really about replacing them like for like, I think you can go with different directions, you understand what the balance of the squad will need, whether that's on the pitch, off the pitch leadership, positionally, there's all sorts of different things going into it.

"Case’s done some really, really good things and certainly since I've been here he's been an absolute pleasure to work with."

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