Sir Jim Ratcliffe's dream Man Utd midfielder already named as Casemiro replacement eyed

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already revealed his dream midfield maestro for Manchester United . After confirmation that Casemiro is set to leave Old Trafford when the season ends, focus has naturally shifted to who could step into the Brazilian's shoes.

United have been linked with a host of prominent targets, such as Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Brighton's Carlos Baleba. The expectation is that the club will invest heavily during the summer window to strengthen the middle of the park, especially with Kobbie Mainoo's long-term future also uncertain.

However, Ratcliffe cannot land his 'dream' acquisition, as that particular star has been retired for more than a decade. In 2024, the INEOS chairman was asked which former United icon he would revive at their peak to feature under then-head coach Erik ten Hag - and he barely hesitated.

"I think I'd bring Paul Scholes ," he said on The Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast. "That's the player that they are sort of most missing.

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"They've got a couple of players who are not Roy Keane but - Casemiro and [Kobbie] Mainoo - they're sort of quite defensive midfielders, you know? But they don't have a Paul Scholes or an [Andreas] Iniesta."

Since Ratcliffe took charge of football operations in February 2024, the Red Devils have spent in excess of £400million on new arrivals. During the 2024/25 season, recruitment efforts were clearly focused on shoring up the defence, with Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu all signed to reinforce the back line.

In 2025/26, attention shifted sharply to attacking reinforcements, as United reshaped their frontline by bringing in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. With those positions now strengthened, the spotlight is firmly expected to fall on midfield recruitment in the upcoming summer window.

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Very few available players can mirror Scholes' combination of technical excellence, creativity and precise distribution. Even so, reports indicate that United are ready to pursue one or two top-tier additions in order to complete their squad overhaul.

Casemiro has been a pivotal presence in the middle of the park, registering 150 appearances over three-and-a-half seasons following his move from Real Madrid . Although his form has fluctuated, his experience and influence will be difficult to replace, particularly given Manuel Ugarte's struggles.

The Uruguayan has featured from the start in only seven league games this season and speculation suggests he could be sold in the summer unless his situation improves under interim boss Michael Carrick.

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Mainoo has also faced uncertainty, having fallen out of favour during Ruben Amorim's tenure. Carrick, however, quickly reinstated the England international, awarding him starts in back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Arsenal - marking his first league appearances of the season.

With doubts surrounding United's midfield options and Ratcliffe's long-standing admiration for Scholes well known, the club's next transfer decision could shape the next chapter of their rebuild.

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