Manchester United have made a new midfielder one of their priorities for the remainder of the summer transfer window – with such an area next on the list for their overhaul of the squad.
Casemiro started at the heart of the side alongside Bruno Fernandes, but the 33-year-old is certainly coming to the back end of his professional career and is unable to maintain his fitness over the course of a full campaign.
Manuel Ugarte is another option currently at Ruben Amorim’s disposal, but the Uruguayan has fallen below the standards set by the fanbase after his £50m move from PSG last summer.
Academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo has also struggled to fit into the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system, with the aforementioned duo often being chosen ahead of him – as seen on Sunday, with the youngster being an unused substitute.
Despite the four options currently on the books at Old Trafford, the boss and the hierarchy still remain in the market for added reinforcements in the midfield department, targeting numerous options before the September 1st deadline.
Man Utd targeting a new midfielder for Amorim
United’s hunt for a new midfielder has seen them target various options in the Premier League over recent weeks, but their hunt has so far been to no avail.
Moves for Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton have both been made in recent weeks, but deals for either of the 21-year-olds now look unlikely, given their current £100m asking prices.
However, no time has been wasted by the hierarchy, subsequently turning their attention to Como star Nico Paz, according to Spanish outlet Defensa Central.
They claim that the Red Devils are one of various sides currently pursuing a move for the 20-year-old, who registered 14 combined goals and assists in his 35 Serie A appearances last campaign.
It also states that Amorim’s side are preparing a €45m (£38m) offer to land the youngster, but it’s unclear if the player himself would want a move to England this summer.
Why United’s latest target joining would be bad news for Bruno
Bruno mainly operated in a number ten role under Amorim during the 2024/25 campaign, managing to register 37 combined goals and assists – easily being the shining light in what was a dismal year for United.
However, the additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have seen the Portuguese international drop into a deeper role to allow the new additions to thrive.
The 30-year-old, who’s the club’s captain, may struggle to replicate such numbers in his new role, ultimately having to sacrifice his own numbers to allow the team to progress.
Given his allowance to play in a free role, Bruno needs a player who’s capable of sitting in front of the backline and regaining possession before handing him the ball to continue his excellent return of goals and assists.
Moves for the likes of Wharton and Baleba will undoubtedly make more sense, given the demands of the current hunt in the market, but it appears the club’s attention is now firmly on the Como star.
However, a move for Paz could spell bad news for the captain, with the youngster a similar sort of player, often making more of an impact with the ball at his feet rather than without.
The Argentine, who can play as a ten or a box-to-box midfielder, would likely provide competition for the Portuguese star, which could result in fewer minutes on the pitch for him in 2025/26.
It may seem a ludicrous decision to utilise Paz over Fernandes at Old Trafford, but when comparing their stats from last season, the Como star managed to better him in various key areas.
The youngster, who’s been labelled as a player with “immense potential” by Jacek Kulig, posted a better shot on target rate, highlighting the threat he poses in front of goal when making his third man runs in beyond the centre-forward.
Games played
35
36
Goals & assists
14
18
Shot on target accuracy
34%
28%
Pass accuracy
81%
76%
Key passes made
2.8
2.7
% of tackles won
47%
40%
Interceptions made
0.8
0.7
Take-ons completed
51%
41%
Carries into final third
2.1
1.9
Aerials won
57%
49%
Paz also completed more of the passes he attempted, whilst also making more key passes per 90, able to provide those ahead of him with constant chances at Old Trafford.
His dominance over the United star is further reflected out of out-of-possession, winning more of the tackles he entered last campaign, along with more interceptions made per 90.
Such figures could make him the perfect box-to-box option in Amorim’s side, especially if he can replicate the numbers he produced in Italy for Como in 2024/25.
Any move would certainly be an exciting one for the fanbase, possessing a lot of qualities that would provide immediate impact, but also pocketing a whole heap of potential to improve further in the years ahead.
However, as previously mentioned, it could spell bad news for Bruno if he joined the club, offering needed competition, which could result in less game time in the not-too-distant future.