man transfer wishlist emerges as clubs line up for Ruben Amorim favourite

Man United three-man transfer wishlist emerges as clubs line up for Ruben Amorim favourite

Manchester United still want to strengthen their midfield after being unable to add in that area during the summer and are eyeing figures including Carlos Baleba as Casemiro looks set for exit

Manchester United have had little over a week to take stock of their options following the end of the Premier League's transfer window.

Ruben Amorim has been handed some new options in the shape of Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens as he bids to boost United following a dismal 15th-place finish last term.

United managed to offload the likes of Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford on loan in addition to striking permanent exits for Antony and Alejandro Garnacho to Real Betis and Chelsea respectively.

But the Reds' squad remains far from the finished product with more work to do to prove themselves as a competitor in the Premier League and as a result there are no shortage of transfer rumours concering the club.

Andre Onana is occupying most of the headlines as he prepares to leave on a loan move to Trabzonspor in a bid to play regular first team football following the arrival of Lammens, but there are other areas that still need attention.

With that being said, Manchester Evening News has rounded up the latest Manchester United news and transfer gossip...

Casemiro exit

Casemiro has started the first three Premier League matches of this season despite entering the final 12 months of his contract at Old Trafford.

The former Real Madrid midfielder has been persistently linked with a move away from the club over the last year or so and seen his ability to perform at the highest level questioned, but has fought his way into Amorim's plans.

Reports in Brazil suggest that the 33-year-old is set to return to South America next summer with Flamengo and Palmeiras both monitoring the situation.

It is Sao Paulo, the club where Casemiro started his career, who could yet have the most significant impact however.

Though United have not been able to offload the Brazil international to Saudi Arabia for a fee in the past, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr are touted as prospective destinations that could still present an offer with grander wages than the player earns in Manchester.

MEN Sport: There would be little surprise to see Casemiro leave next summer, it's perhaps more astonishing that he still has a starting role at United currently. While the lure of the financial boost of the Middle East will be tempting, a romantic return to Brazil would offer some magic at the end of a very successful career for the veteran.

Three midfield options

Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Ruben Neves are on Manchester United's shortlist as they weigh up strengthening the position having been unable to do so over the summer.

Crystal Palace star Wharton is said to top the wishlist according to teamtalk and has been touted for a big move since making the transition from Blackburn to the Premier League look very easy.

He will not come cheaply with Palace happy to dig in their heels, but United already know it could take as much as £115 million to prise Baleba away from Brighton. Both players would command a premium during the January window.

Neves, on the other hand, has a year remaining on his Al Hilal contract and could offer a more affordable option despite the salary demands that could be prompted as a result.

MEN Sport says: You can't argue with the pedigree of talent United are looking at in this instance. Ruben Neves has perhaps been there and done it more than the others but after a spell in Saudi Arabia, whether he could hit the ground running in January is not certain.

The cost of January deals probably makes any of these moves prohibitive and if they are of interest it should have been done already. Maybe next year.

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