There’s been no such factor as residence comforts for Manchester United of late, with Tuesday’s dour draw with bottom-side Wolverhampton Wanderers having been the fourth time of their final 5 Previous Trafford outings that the Pink Devils have didn’t win on residence soil.
Within the absence of Bruno Fernandes and co, Ruben Amorim‘s males had been merely devoid of creativity and spark, with it taking a lucky deflection for Joshua Zirkzee to finally nudge the hosts forward.
Pegged again earlier than the break, there was to be no second-half surge akin to the win at Molineux not too way back, with United’s determined evening epitomised late on, because the ageing Casemiro was caught out after labouring on the ball contained in the Wolves half.
A collective groan went around the Theatre of Goals because the 33-year-old had his pocket picked, with the midfielder failing to slip in Brazil teammate Matheus Cunha forward of him.
In fact, the pairing of the £70m man and Manuel Ugarte merely did not work towards Rob Edwards’ plucky outfit, with a brand new midfielder a necessity when the window opens subsequent month.
Man Utd already making calls over midfield signing
After a summer season that noticed United sound out a potential deal for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, rumours are additionally rife that INEOS may look to Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson in 2026, following a breakthrough few months for the England worldwide.
The issue? Neither of these two Premier League rivals is ready to promote on a budget, amid reported £100m plus worth tags, with it much more seemingly that any deal must happen over the summer season as an alternative.
Certainly, there must be a way of realism over what United can and might’t do out there subsequent month, after an over £200m outlay final day trip, with extra inexpensive, short-term offers wanted in January.
It might seem that the membership themselves are conscious of that, with journalist Ben Jacobs revealing that INEOS have already been making calls over a potential transfer for Al Hilal star Ruben Neves.
That curiosity is not believed to have progressed to something extra, though that contact comes amid the Portuguese’s expiring contract, making certain he might be accessible for a knock-down worth within the winter window.
Prior studies have indicated that the ex-Wolves man might be accessible for as little as £20m.
Why Neves signing may spell the top for Casemiro
Ignoring his vital payment and £350k-per-week wage, Casemiro has been a strong servant for United in recent times, scoring 21 instances in all since his arrival in 2022, 4 of which have come this season.
That mentioned, together with his personal deal operating out in January, the Brazil skipper is coming to the climax of his Previous Trafford journey, with Tuesday’s show once more highlighting his bodily shortcomings.
In all, the skilled warrior has now been dribbled previous 1.1 instances per recreation within the Premier League this season, as per Sofascore.
For context, Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo have been dribbled previous simply 0.5 and 0.7 instances per recreation, respectively, in 2025/26.
Maybe Casemiro is merely being uncovered by Amorim’s tactical set-up, however both method, an acceptable alternative must be discovered. Neves would possibly simply be that.
Lauded as arguably the “most underrated participant in world soccer” in recent times by analyst Raj Chohan, the 28-year-old is a person of confirmed Premier League expertise, having made 177 appearances within the competitors throughout his stint at Molineux, chalking up 30 purpose involvements in that point.
Whereas not prolific, the one-time Porto captain does have that knack for the spectacular, repeatedly seen rifling residence from vary throughout his days with the Previous Gold.
After all, there is perhaps issues that he has been plying his commerce out in Saudi Arabia for the final two years or so, though he has registered 39 objectives and assists in 108 video games in that point, whereas remaining a part of the nationwide group set-up.
|
Neves vs Casemiro – 25/26 League Stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (*per recreation) |
||
|
Video games |
10 |
17 |
|
Targets |
4 |
4 |
|
Assists |
0 |
1 |
|
Massive possibilities created |
3 |
1 |
|
Key passes |
1.5 |
0.6 |
|
Go accuracy |
91% |
82% |
|
Complete duels received |
58% |
52% |
|
Dribbled previous |
0.9 |
1.1 |
|
Stats through Sofascore |
||
The 63-cap Portugal star was additionally mixing it with the Premier League’s greatest throughout his last season within the Midlands, with FBref noting that two of essentially the most statistically related midfielders to him within the division on the time had been the aforementioned Rice and Caicedo.
He was in good firm then, and a transfer again to England may properly see him emerge as an important, if not underrated, determine in Amorim’s midfield unit, with such a deal doubtlessly set to show the ultimate nail within the coffin for Casemiro’s Previous Trafford keep.
Skilled, however nonetheless in his peak years, Neves is the ready-made successor to the South American that United are in determined want of.
Amorim must not ever begin £470k-p/w Man Utd duo collectively once more after Wolves
Manchester United rounded off 2025 with a sometimes limp efficiency at Previous Trafford.