4
Casemiro’s revelation that he’s leaving Manchester United has reshaped how the membership approaches the summer time switch window.
Even earlier than the announcement, it was clear that strengthening midfield sat excessive on INEOS’ agenda.
Now, with the Samba star departing, United’s push to strengthen the engine room is now not merely about signing a high midfielder; additionally it is about actively in search of his good substitute.
The South American midfielder’s uncommon mix of elite defensive acumen, management and large‑recreation expertise has been invaluable. His affect has been so evident that United typically look uncovered and have so typically fumbled matches at any time when he’s absent.
Changing him won’t be easy. United’s greatest transfer is to seek for these uncommon midfielders who mix defensive solidity with trendy, excessive‑depth, ball‑enjoying qualities, very similar to Casemiro, whose attributes are so arduous to search out.
Casemiro’s inheritor
The suggestion is that Elliot Anderson could possibly be that participant.
However what if United fail to win the Anderson race? Effectively, whether or not they succeed or not within the chase for the Nottingham Forest star, INEOS shouldn’t overlook Lisandro Martinez as a pure match for Casemiro’s profile.
Analyst Ben Mattinson as soon as argued that Martinez possesses all the things wanted to grow to be a world‑class defensive midfielder, and not too long ago we got a transparent glimpse of what he meant.
Martinez sensible as DM versus Aston Villa
Within the second half of United’s 2‑1 defeat to Aston Villa, Martinez stepped into the defensive midfield function and delivered a superb efficiency.
Stationed in entrance of the defence, he sprayed passes ahead at will and drove the ball himself with authority.
Lisandro Martinez in central midfield (45 minutes) vs Aston Villa
Statistic
Minutes performed in midfield45
Aerial duels won100%
Complete touches38
Passes attempted32
Passes completed29
Passes into the ultimate third5
Ball recoveries3
Shots1
Stats above underline how influential he was on the centre of the park. And whereas that was only a single efficiency, even at centre‑again, we’ve typically seen the 5ft 10 defender pinging balls excessive, splitting defences with lengthy passes, and carrying possession ahead as an unorthodox playmaker in his personal proper.
Lisandro Martinez is sort of a quarterback 🏈@ManUtd 🔴 pic.twitter.com/J3rPKVLiwM
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 5, 2026
Casemiro’s management, combat, need, and keenness are sometimes praised, and Martínez embodies all of those qualities as nicely.
Furthermore, the ex‑Ajax man’s elite studying of the sport, aggressive tackling and superior ball‑enjoying expertise imply he can present the identical defensive metal and composure in midfield because the United quantity 18.
Nonetheless make the deliberate midfield signings
After all, this tactical tweak doesn’t imply INEOS ought to abandon different midfield pursuits. They will nonetheless transfer for Carlos Baleba and Anderson whereas concurrently changing Martinez as an choice for his or her engine room.
Yoro and Heaven’s pathway cleared
In the end, shifting Martinez into midfield would clear the pathway for Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven to progress at centre‑again. With Martinez predominantly at midfield, they might get extra alternatives to function.
It must also encourage United to pursue one other bodily dominant centre‑again like Tarik Muharemovic, unveiling a monstrous defensive pairing paying homage to the Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic period.
Featured picture Carl Recine through Getty Photographs
The Peoples Individual has been one of many world’s main Man United information websites for over a decade. Comply with us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
