Manchester United legend Jaap Stam has pinpointed Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali as the perfect candidates to fill the void left by Casemiro at Old Trafford this summer.
The Brazilian midfielder, who had a successful spell with the Red Devils, announced his intention to leave as a free agent in January. During his time at the club, Casemiro netted 26 goals and provided 13 assists in 160 appearances, helping United secure the EFL Cup in 2022/23 and the FA Cup in 2023/24, as well as Champions League qualification.
Stam, speaking to Tribal Football, emphasized the need for reinforcements in the middle of the park. “Everyone is talking about how to replace Casemiro,” he said. “He had a fantastic season this year and made a huge difference. He improved his fitness, scored goals, and used his experience to help teammates within his favorite system.”
The former defender stressed that United must bring in one or even two new midfielders. “They need to sign players with stamina and technical ability to manage the buildup and support Kobbie Mainoo. That would allow Bruno Fernandes to operate as a number 10, which is vital for the team.”
Stam then named his preferred targets. “I really like Carlos Baleba from Brighton—he keeps impressing me. I also have a lot of admiration for Sandro Tonali at Newcastle. These are the two players I would like to see at Manchester United.”