Erik ten Hag has reportedly urged Manchester United to consider replacing Casemiro with Youssouf Fofana.

Monaco’s French midfielder #08 Youssouf Fofana applauds at the end of the French Cup round of 32 football match between Rodez Aveyron Football and AS Monaco at the Paul-Lignon stadium in Rodez, south-western France, on January 20, 2024. (Photo by Valentine CHAPUIS / AFP) (Photo by VALENTINE CHAPUIS/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Fichajes, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has requested the club to pursue Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana as a replacement for Casemiro during the upcoming summer transfer window.

This move aligns with United’s anticipated recruitment of a prominent defensive midfielder, possibly coinciding with a significant departure at the end of the season.

With Sofyan Amrabat expected to depart upon the conclusion of his loan deal, there’s speculation that Casemiro might also exit as part of the club’s efforts to trim the wage bill.

While the club has been linked with Amadou Onana and Joao Neves in recent weeks, reports from Fichajes suggest that Erik ten Hag has specifically requested Youssouf Fofana as the replacement for Casemiro. Manchester United is not the only club pursuing the French midfielder. Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus have also shown interest in the 25-year-old, who could potentially be available for a fee of €30 million.

It’s suggested that Manchester United should set their sights on targets beyond Fofana.

Fofana has shown considerable growth as a holding midfielder during his tenure at Monaco. This season, he has averaged 4.7 duels won and 1.7 tackles per league game. Additionally, he has demonstrated an impressive average of 7.4 recoveries per match while succeeding in 58 percent of his take-ons.

Despite his strengths, Fofana has encountered challenges with his passing accuracy, registering only 81 percent. Additionally, he has been dispossessed an alarming 15.1 times per outing. Evaluating his distribution and ball control, it’s arguable that he may not represent an improvement over Casemiro. While he could potentially serve as a valuable squad player, he might not be viewed as a consistent starter.

For Manchester United seeking a prominent defensive midfielder, Benfica’s Neves emerges as a top contender. At just 19 years old, he exhibits few weaknesses, although securing his services could entail a substantial transfer fee reaching nine figures this summer.