Judging by how the current season has unfolded, it is clear that Manchester United need to strengthen in key areas including in midfield.
Manager Erik ten Hag’s high-transition poker has nullified Casemiro’s strengths and the Brazilian currently looks like a shadow of the player who took the Premier League by storm in the last campaign.
The United midfield has looked lost with opposition teams easily bypassing it with ease while the former Real Madrid superstar has found it hard to track back due to a loss of pace.
The Brazilian’s go-to midfield partner from last season, Christian Eriksen has not been accorded the same status this term, with the Dane starting only 13 times this campaign as compared to 32 games in 2022/23.
United’s midfield in need of renovation
New co-owners INEOS are said to be disappointed that the club greenlit an expensive move for the Brazilian considering his age and resale value while the former Tottenham Hotspur man is unhappy with his lack of minutes.
Loan signing Sofyan Amrabat is also expected to be moved on while question marks continue to surround the future of Scott McTominay as well.
The 20-time English league champions are eyeing additions but with PSR concerns to keep in mind, an exorbitant spend on the likes of Joao Neves looks unlikely as of now.
One player whose name has started doing the rounds recently is Leicester City’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has been on fire in the Championship.
The Englishman has notched 12 goals and 14 assists from midfield with the Foxes emerging triumphant in the second division and earning a spot back in the Premier League.
Fantastic season for the Foxes
The 25-year-old can play all across the midfield and even out wide if needed and judging from the injury-plagued season United are in the middle of currently, versatility is a highly valued trait.
Dewsbury-Hall recently revealed that he is happy at the King Power Stadium but with the 2105/16 Premier League champions struggling with PSR issues, they need to sell and the midfielder is one of their most sellable assets.
The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, Brentford and Brighton remain interested with the Seagulls seeing a £20 million bid get turned down in January.
If Leicester had not got promoted, teams from the top-flight could have got their man on the cheap but now that promotion has been secured, journalist Ben Jacobs has told GIVEMESPORT that the Championship title-winner’s price tag has just increased.
“My understanding on Dewsbury-Hall was always that if Leicester didn’t go up, he might be available for as low as £25 million. But, now that they have, I think we’re looking at £35 million.
“If we go back to January, Leicester actually valued him more in the region of £45 million, but I don’t think it will be that high because of Leicester’s financial situation if they agree to a deal.
Dewsbury-Hall price rise
“I think we are looking at in excess of £35 million, as a minimum, for Dewsbury-Hall if they choose to sell and the player wants to leave, even though he said that he wants to stay.
“There remains interest from Brighton, Brentford could come into the mix, and Manchester United are another club to keep an eye on as well.”
Whether the Red Devils actually decide to pursue the Foxes star remains to be seen. His record in the top-flight is certainly not as impressive but he is young, and British and proven in the league, traits INEOS highly admire.
Fans would want a high-profile name but with a proper backroom staff set to be in place, one can be rest assured that the club will now try and find the right players for the appropriate system instead of trying to shoehorn players into difficult situations as was the norm during the Glazers era.
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