With two weeks until transfer deadline day, Manchester United are not quite done in the market.
Michael Carrick’s men added crucial midfield bodies early on. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans joined from Chelsea and Aston Villa, respectively. Since then, however, United have struggled in the market. A new left-back remains a priority for the Manchester giants, though despite links with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Lewis Hall, one is not forthcoming.
In addition, United could still yet benefit from the addition of another central midfielder to ease the burden on Kobbie Mainoo, Santos and Tielemans. Back in the Champions League, they need bodies in the crucial area. Carrick has turned to Mason Mount to operate in a deeper role. Mount’s injury history means the United boss can ill-afford to rely on the 27-year-old’s availability.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Barcelona looking to sell Casado?
With time ticking on the summer window, there are still options in the market. United were believed to be courting Roma’s Manu Kone earlier in the summer, though links with the Frenchman have since gone quiet. Another possibility is that United push to sign Marc Casado from La Liga giants Barcelona.
Reports from Spain suggest that the Premier League giants have been offered the chance to sign the 22-year-old. Casado was already expected to leave Spotify Camp Nou this summer. Rodri’s impending arrival should accelerate the youngster’s departure.
And United would be foolish to pass up the chance to sign Casado. The Spaniard made 24 league appearances last season, albeit just 10 starts. He doesn’t feature in Hansi Flick’s plans, with Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and now Rodri ahead of the La Masia graduate in the midfield pecking order.
A lack of game time, though, shouldn’t detract United from moving for Casado. If they want a player who is able to control proceedings from the middle of the park, then he’s an ideal fit.
On-ball work a stand out quality
As a La Masia graduate, what stands out about Casado is the desire to be in possession. It’s engrained on midfielders from a young age in Spain. This saw Barcelona dominate in La Liga last season. 69% possession was far and away the most in Spain’s top tier.
And Casado is one who seeks to get on the ball at any given opportunity. Indeed, he averaged 96.1 touches per 90 in Spain’s top tier last term. By comparison, Mainoo (73.6) came closest to matching that haul. While Barcelona’s possession haul skews that return, Casado’s quest to help dictate the tempo is a stand-out trait.
United, after all, managed just 51.6% possession in the Premier League last season, the ninth highest. Carrick worked wonders to drag United to the Champions League, but in time, the approach will be found out.
Whether they need to see out matches or keep play ticking over, they need relevant passers in the middle of the park to dictate play. Casado, again, thrives here. The Barcelona outcast attempted 82.6 passes per 90 and maintained a 90.89% pass accuracy last season.
Santos (57.2 and 90.09%, respectively) was Casado’s nearest competitor for both metrics. Even in terms of shifting possession upfield, Casado (16.4) comes second to Tielemans (17) for forward passes per 90.
Out-of-possession struggles
The issue, though, stems from Casado’s work off the ball. At 5ft7in, he’s not a midfielder who’ll dwarf opponents. Conversely, he is one who isn’t afraid to put himself about. Unfortunately, this is where Casado falls down a little.
He committed 2.3 fouls per 90 in La Liga last season, far more than the three central midfielders on the United books. Casado was also carded three times across just 1,179 minutes of league and European action in the 2025/26 campaign.
What’s more, Casado also ranked bottom for both tackles (1.8) and interceptions per 90 (0.7) of the four central midfielders. A 49.4% ground duel success rate was also last. Granted, this may well have been due to Barcelona’s dominance. Even so, it’s a shortcoming to his game that would need to worked on.
In the final knockings of the transfer window, United still have gaps that need filling. They failed to sign top midfield targets Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, the pair moving to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively. Casado may not have ranked high on United’s wishlist earlier in the summer.
However, despite his off-ball work needing refinement, he’d still be a solid midfield addition. Barcelona need to make sales, too, which should boost United’s chances of luring Casado to Old Trafford.