Manchester United defensive midfielder Casemiro continued his fine form in the 2025/26 campaign with a goal for Brazil against Senegal on international duty on Saturday.
The veteran midfield star has started nine of his ten appearances in the Premier League for Ruben Amorim this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist from the middle of the park.
The Brazil international only started 18 times in the top-flight in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, but he has emerged as a vital player for the Portuguese boss this term.
Despite his renewed importance to the team, Casemiro turns 34 in February and United may still be on the lookout for the long-term successor to his place in the starting XI.
In September, it was reported that the Red Devils have identified Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba as a priority target, with a deal that could reach a club-record £100m touted for 2026.
However, the Premier League giants should, instead, avoid a swoop to sign the Cameroon international in the January transfer window and next summer.
Why Man Utd should avoid a deal for Carlos Baleba
Manchester United should avoid a deal to sign the defensive midfielder, particularly if the price tag is £100m, because his performances for Brighton have declined from the 2024/25 campaign to the current term.
Baleba won 55% of his ground duels and made 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League last season, per Sofascore, which makes it easy to understand why the club identified him as a possible successor to Casemiro.
The Brazilian star has made 2.7 tackles and interceptions per match and won 58% of his ground duels in the division this term, per Sofascore, and the Brighton ace could have been viewed as a good fit to take his place moving forward.
However, his numbers have declined across the board in the Premier League this season, which suggests that he may not have the consistency that United will need from their stars if they want to compete for the biggest trophies.
Appearances
34
11
Goals
3
0
Tackles + interceptions per game
3.7
2.0
Clearances per game
1.3
1.0
Duels won per game
5.8
3.4
Ground duel success rate
55%
44%
Fouls made per game
1.2
1.5
As you can see in the table above, Baleba has lost the majority of his ground duels in the division and has won fewer duels, made fewer tackles and interceptions, and committed more fouls in comparison to the 2024/25 campaign.
When paying £100m, which would be a club-record fee for United, the Red Devils should want a player who is improving and on the way up, yet the opposite appears to be true of the Brighton midfield.
Man United eyeing move for Premier League midfielder
That is why it should come as good news to supporters that INEOS are reportedly looking at an alternative to Baleba who would be a better option for the club to sign.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to reports from Spain, Manchester United are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Crystal Palace defensive midfielder Adam Wharton in the January transfer window.
The report claims that Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal are all also keen on the England international, which means that there will be plenty of competition for his signature ahead of the second half of the season.
It adds that any deal for the left-footed star could cost around £88m and that the signs are pointing towards a January exit from Selhurst Park for the former Blackburn Rovers ace.
However, it remains to be seen whether or not Manchester United are willing to pay the £88m that will be required to beat the likes of Real Madrid and Arsenal to his signature.
Why Manchester United should sign Adam Wharton
The Red Devils should push to win the race for Wharton’s services in January because he would be a way better signing than Baleba, who is valued at £12m more than the Englishman.
Unlike Baleba, the 21-year-old star has taken a step forward with his performances in the Premier League for Crystal Palace this season, which shows that he is improving and progressing as a player, rather than regressing.
Appearances
20
9
Big chances created
5
5
Key passes per game
1.3
1.6
Dribble success rate
20%
64%
Tackles made per game
1.7
1.3
Ground duel success rate
49%
53%
Dribbled past per game
1.4x
1.0x
Possession lost per game
10.8x
10.2x
As you can see in the table above, the left-footed midfield maestro has improved in and out of possession, making fewer tackles per game but being more efficient in his attempts to tackle, hence the higher ground duel success rate and fewer times dribbled past per game.
Wharton was hailed as “the best deep-lying English midfielder since Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick” by one CONCACAF B certified coach earlier this year, and it is easy to see why.
Scholes, in particular, was renowned for his exceptional passing from midfield, which led to 82 assists for United (Transfermarkt), and Wharton is cut from a similar cloth.
Per FBref, the Eagles star ranks within the top 1% of midfielders in the top five leagues in Europe and European competitions over the last 365 days for xAG per 90 (0.30) and the top 10% for shot-creating actions per 90 (3.75).
Wharton, like Scholes, is a tempo-setting midfield player who also has the quality to break lines and create chances for his teammates with his impressive passing range.
Whereas Baleba has only created five ‘big chances’ in 91 appearances in all competitions for Brighton, per Sofascore, which suggests that he would not provide the same level of quality on the ball.
Man Utd now eyeing £80m+ Tchouameni deal as fresh Casemiro problem emerges
He could replace the veteran midfielder.
ByTom Cunningham
Therefore, Wharton could be a much better option for United than the Brighton star because he would provide more quality on the ball, whilst arriving as a player who is improving week-on-week, instead of regressing, as Baleba has.