Manchester United may look for a long-term midfielder after Casemiro’s injury ahead of the busy winter period.

An injury will keep him out until Christmas, leaving Scott McTominay and Sofyan Amrabat as the defensive-minded options. Since Amrabat is on loan and McTominay is better as a box-to-box midfielder, the Manchester Evening News looks at younger players who may be brought in with forward planning.

Amadou Onana

Onana might be United’s next midfield conundrum, and his fast assimilation to English football has rival teams clamoring for his signature. Everton fans love the Belgium international’s strength, athleticism, and recovery, which has made them tough to beat recently.

The Senegalese star, 22, joined the Toffees for £33million last summer, so replacing him would be expensive. However, United’s reputation, wage boost, and prospective European football possibility make it impossible to say never.

Martin Zubimendi

United would have to pay a lot to get Zubimendi, but they’d make Europe’s greatest teams jealous. Since making his Real Sociedad debut in 2019, the midfielder has made over 200 games and made his Spain debut, earning praise from national team officials.

He has stronger ball skills than Casemiro, like Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets, despite his weaker defense. At 24, with many believing he is ready for the next stage in his career, Ten Hag may fit well in the No. 6 spot.

Guido Rodriguez

Rodriguez is worth considering in January. He’s one of a few players out of contract at the conclusion of the season. For clubs in different countries, you can offer them a ‘pre-contract’ within the final six months to sign them in the summer.

Real Betis may sell if they can’t sign the Argentine enforcer, who has over 120 La Liga appearances and almost 30 national team caps. Ten Hag could sign him for a low price to replace Amrabat in the summer.

Kobbie Mainoo

Why not use an internal alternative? Mainoo may be more attack-minded than Casemiro, but he’s a talented ballplayer who could play as a deep-lying playmaker like Xavi or Marco Verratti.

It would return United to their youth academy. The only current first-team players who have advanced are McTominay and Marcus Rashford, but Mainoo, Hannibal Mejbri, and Shola Shoretire are trying.

However, United have produced so much talent in the Premier League era that not having a youngster at any given time looks odd. Mainoo is an academy star, so not giving him game time is a waste.

Amrabat isn’t as good as Casemiro defensively, but if he can cover for Mainoo and give him minutes, United’s prodigy might shine and improve.