He may not be around next season, but Casemiro Seems bent on leading Manchester United Regardless, in the Champions League, the Brazilian has once again been so influential in recent weeks.

The 33-year-old even made Jamie Carragher eat his words following his latest redemption arc, looking dead and buried as the 2023/24 season reaches its climax.

Now, the former Real Madrid player is the center of attention in the football world. Michael CarrickSunday’s header against Fulham took his tally to five goals this season for a resurgent side, a tally behind only Benjamin Cesco, Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbemo.

Many may have thought United were simply getting a secure holding midfielder in 2022, but Casemiro has proven he’s capable of much more than that, especially with his blind assist for Cunha in the weekend’s win.

He is the embodiment of class and character, and Ineos faces the difficult task of trying to replace him The man worth £70m this summer.

Remembering Casemiro’s best moments in a Manchester United shirt

Erik ten Hag’s difficult final days should not overshadow a positive story for Casemiro in Manchester, defying expectations that he would be just another Bastian Schweinsteiger-style addition.

There were, of course, reckless red cards and frantic moments, but these were offset by a string of key actions, not least his opening goal in the Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle United in March 2023.

He also produced an acrobatic overhead kick against Bournemouth at the end of that season and scored a late header at Stamford Bridge, slapping his chest in celebration in front of a raucous away side.

It must be said that the 2023/24 season was a low point, although he started the following season with a home game against Leicester City in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge on an interim basis.

However, you can’t remember the 2024/25 season without his impact on that night against Lyon, with Casemiro cleverly winning a penalty to help reduce the deficit before providing two late assists to send Old Trafford into a frenzy.

Meanwhile, as far as the season is concerned, there are five goals to his credit, although the veteran’s derby performance last month really stood out, comfortably beating Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

The legs may be gone to some extent, but the winning mentality and sanity are certainly still there, and those traits aren’t easy to find in the current market.

Manchester United already have the perfect replacement for Casemiro

It was an era obsessed with youth and long-term thinking, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe had privately and publicly expressed regret at signing players like Casemiro, given the size of transfer fees and wages.

There have been rumors that the acquisition of far-unproven figures such as Elliot Anderson, Adam Walton and Carlos Baleba could cost more, however, all things considered, the Premier League trio could cost upwards of £100m each.

Casemiro is a five-time Champions League winner and with such talented youngsters barely scratching the surface in the senior leagues, Ineos and Ratcliffe will need to carefully consider whether young, fresh legs are worth such a huge investment.

Of course, United do already boast the man who started the Euro 2024 final before Wharton, Kobe Minuthe Englishman could find a new long-term partner next season Lisandro Martinez.

The Argentinian is sparkling next to Harry Maguire now, but with the Red Devils having real depth at centre-back in Lenny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Eden Paradise, perhaps a change of roles would be the best solution for all parties.

Indeed, if United are looking for Casemiro-like quality and mentality, Martinez is almost a carbon copy, possessing the silk to match the steel, albeit with some physical limitations.

The 28-year-old World Cup winner is a master on the ball and ranks in the top 10% of centre-backs for progressive passes this season according to DataMB.

The former Ajax man often plays the ball over the top from deep and memorably did so in stoppage time against the Etihad last season.

This may come with Martinez as a left centre-back but he has the ability”Become a world-class DM”, as analyst Ben Martinson says, and he’s proven that at Villa Park this season.

Deployed in front of a back four in the second half of that 2-1 defeat, the 5-foot-10 warrior excelled in his new role, passing forward at will while pushing forward himself when in possession.

Even as a centre-back, he often moves forward and possesses a surprising amount of skill, scoring from long range against Liverpool and Fulham last January.

With Mainu taking on a more advanced role, Martinez will become a worthy choice for the main midfielder in the absence of Casemiro.

There will no doubt be a discussion around midfield signings this summer, but United’s perfect solution may already be under construction.

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