Casemiro waved farewell to Manchester United on Sunday and with it, he may well have played his final game for the club.

The Red Devils still have one match left to play in this Premier League season but it would be fitting if the Brazilian's last outing came at home.

The midfielder has enjoyed quite the campaign. His tally of nine goals is the most he's scored in a single season throughout his career. Not bad for a player who Jamie Carragher told to leave football a few years ago.

Since those comments on Sky Sports, the former Real Madrid superstar has taken his game to another level in United red. Besides Bruno Fernandes, he has been their best player in 2025/26.

So, in an unexpected turn of events, they will genuinely miss him next season. He is leaving at the end of the season once his contract expires.

Man United favourites to sign big-money Casemiro replacement

Two of the names to have been discusses most in recent weeks include Ederson and Carlos Baleba. For the latter, United allegedly agreed personal terms with him last summer.

Those terms are still in place and the player wants to join. However, things are never that simple. Baleba has endured a tricky season in comparison to 2024/25, perhaps putting suitors off a potential £80m price tag.

Ederson, however, would be a lot cheaper at around the £40m mark. Crucially in that saga, Atalanta are willing to sell and the player, like Baleba, has reportedly already agreed a contract with the Red Devils. A lot of work appears to have been done on that one already.

However, they do not feel like the big-name additions that would really take Michael Carrick's side to the next level.

In the form of Elliot Anderson or Sandro Tonali, they could tick that box. The latest on Tonali is that Arsenal and Manchester City are rivalling United for his signature.

Reports from Italy this weekend, via Sport Witness, reveal that the two Manchester clubs are fighting over a transfer that could cost a whopping £87m. It is noted that Italian sides would be interested but there is no chance they will be able to meet Newcastle United's asking price.

That puts United and City in pole position to secure his signature, with it revealed that they are the 'most likely' destinations for Tonali this summer.

How Tonali compares to Ederson and Baleba

It is widely expected that Jason Wilcox and Co will look to bring two midfielders to Old Trafford this summer. What this supposedly means is that United will go big on one name and look for a cheaper alternative elsewhere.

A year ago Baleba looked like a fabulous option for United but after his regression in 2025/26, they should stay away from the Brighton midfielder. Instead, Tonali and potentially even Ederson would make a lot more sense.

Of course, Anderson is the first choice but that move feels incredibly unlikely so it will have to be a case of focusing elsewhere.

In Tonali, they would be signing a player celebrated as "one of the best midfielders in Europe" by Newcastle reporter Joel Bland, a player with proven Premier League pedigree.

Baleba has some top-flight experience in England but the Italy midfielder has been playing at a much higher level now for a good few years. The numbers from this term tell you everything you need to know.

While Ederson and Baleba may offer you more aggression when it comes to winning duels - they both win over five per 90 minutes compared to Tonali's 3.8 - when it comes to progressing play there are not many better in Europe than the Italian when it comes to deep-lying midfielders.

The Newcastle midfield general is making 8.29 forward passes and 3.30 progressive passes per 90 this season. Baleba, on the other hand, is making just 4.46 and 1.59. As for Ederson, it's a lot closer. He makes 9.02 forward passes and 3.28 progressive passes per 90.

What he does not have, however, is experience of playing in England. Manchester United found have found out first hand this season just what that means.

While Benjamin Sesko took a while to get up to speed, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha hit the ground immediately. That's precisely why Tonali would be a better addition than Ederson. In that case of Baleba, he's just generally a better player and in better form.