One swallow does not make a summer time, though there was a lot to be inspired by in Manchester United‘s beautiful derby triumph on Saturday.
Sure, there are caveats – reminiscent of Manchester Metropolis’s injury-hit backline – however Michael Carrick‘s facet had been dominant proper from the off at Outdated Trafford, swarming ahead in a sight hardly seen throughout Ruben Amorim‘s forgettable 14-month tenure.
United did rise to the event at instances beneath Amorim – see Anfield earlier this season – however by no means in such a constant, relentless method, with the beforehand peripheral Kobbie Mainoo shining brightly because the midfield centrepiece.
Bizarrely ignored beneath Carrick’s Portuguese predecessor, Mainoo dazzled on his first Premier League begin of the season, serving a reminder of simply why he was so highly-rated 18 months in the past.
Nonetheless solely 20, the Englishman is a determine to construct round for the foreseeable, with INEOS believed to be concentrating on one other midfield expertise to fit in alongside him.
Man Utd in talks to signal one other midfielder
Saturday’s ‘assertion’ win showcased the fantastic thing about switching again to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, with the midfield triumvirate of Mainoo, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes proving so influential in overrunning Pep Guardiola’s facet.
The issue, nonetheless, is that with INEOS having assembled a squad so mild on choices in that division, with Manuel Ugarte the one different senior midfielder, one harm or absence might go away Carrick desperately brief for the rest of the marketing campaign.
With that in thoughts, reviews in Spain have indicated that United are urgent on of their try so as to add midfield reinforcements this month, amid claims that talks have been held over a deal for Barcelona’s Marc Casado.
Certainly, the report outlines that the Pink Devils are among the many golf equipment to have lodged an enquiry concerning a deal for the 22-year-old, with INEOS stated to have already made their transfer.
The Outdated Trafford facet will face competitors for the Spaniard’s signature, nonetheless, with relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers additionally within the combine, alongside LaLiga outfit, Atletico Madrid.
Why Casado may very well be one other Mainoo at Man Utd
There was an actual pleasure to watching Mainoo in motion on the weekend, memorably jinking previous ex-United goal Antoine Semenyo within the first-half.
He was sharp, composed and in tune with Fernandes and Casemiro alongside him, with these inside Outdated Trafford more likely to have been scratching their heads that Amorim was so cussed in his refusal to deploy the academy graduate in his 3-4-3.
Carrick, who had truly stated beforehand that he views Mainoo as extra of an “attacker”, is more likely to suppose otherwise, with the uncertainty over Mainoo’s future set to be squashed in consequence.
As already acknowledged, nonetheless, with United brief on depth and with Casemiro’s contract set to run out, a long-term accomplice or rival to Mainoo remains to be wanted. Enter, Casado.
Lauded as one thing of an “animal” by Spain teammate Bryan Zaragoza, the Barcelona starlet is one other tidy, silky operator within the centre of the park, like Mainoo, having honed his craft at La Masia previous to breaking into the primary staff in Catalonia.
Nonetheless simply 22, the in-demand expertise has made 60 appearances for the Camp Nou outfit up to now, showcasing his personal attacking high quality by registering eight targets and assists in that point.
Like Mainoo, his stats do not precisely leap off the web page, however he’s a grasp the place it issues – in possession – rating within the high 2% of LaLiga midfielders this season for each go completion and passes tried per 90, as per FBref.
|
Casado – 25/26 LaLiga stats |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat (*per sport) |
File |
|
Video games (begins) |
13 (6) |
|
Targets |
0 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Key passes* |
0.6 |
|
Cross accuracy %* |
93% |
|
Possession misplaced* |
4.2 |
|
Aerial duels gained* |
60% |
|
Complete duels gained* |
44% |
|
Dribbled previous* |
0.5 |
Equally, there’s a defensive nous to his sport additionally, rating within the high 3% for blocks made per 90 this season, having made 13 top-flight outings beneath Hansi Flick in 2025/26.
In an analogous vein to Mainoo, he has risen by means of the ranks at his present facet, previous to establishing a first-team berth for himself in latest seasons, with it no shock that there’s such intense curiosity in his providers.
One different key trait that he possesses is the flexibility to drive his facet ahead from deep, rating within the high 2% of LaLiga midfielders for carries made per 90 this season.
In 2024/25, in the meantime, his United counterpart was equally spectacular as a ball-carrier, rating within the high 16% for profitable take-ons per 90 within the Premier League.
Whereas INEOS beforehand pushed for a extra athletic, workmanlike determine reminiscent of Ugarte in 2024, Saturday’s triumph highlighted the advantages of getting a extra technical, ball-playing expertise within the centre of the park, therefore why buying one other Mainoo-like sensation within the type of Casado may very well be a dream resolution.
Not simply Mainoo: “Beckham-like” Man Utd star simply made Amorim look foolish
Michael Carrick’s Man United dominated their neighbours to assert bragging rights within the Premier League.
