Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton are the two players Manchester United should sign to replace Casemiro this summer, according to a former player from the Champions League-winning team. Casemiro has overcome harsh criticism and played a crucial role in United's unbeaten start under Michael Carrick, although his resurgence has not been enough to earn a new contract.

United considered signing a midfielder last summer, but ultimately decided to focus on renewing its attack, spending more than £200 million to sign Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko, in addition to goalkeeper Senne Lammens. The midfield was always going to be its main area of interest for next season, but the search for a new midfielder is even more urgent now that Casemiro is leaving.

The Brazilian instantly strengthened the Red Devils when he joined for £70 million from Real Madrid in 2022, after the team had a nightmare start to the season under new manager Erik ten Hag. Casemiro helped United finish third that season and win the Carabao Cup, but he suffered a very tough second campaign, leading Jamie Carragher to declare his time at the elite level was over.

Casemiro has staged an impressive turnaround in the last year, presenting a major challenge for United in finding a replacement for the five-time Champions League winner and Brazil captain.

Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has praised Casemiro for proving critics like Carragher wrong after receiving "a lack of respect that has been over the top." And he believes Nottingham Forest midfielder Anderson is the prime candidate to replace Casemiro at Old Trafford.

TNT Sports commentator Hargreaves told GOAL: "Adam Wharton is a really good player. He is very smart and sees the game a bit faster than most players. He plays one-touch passes, but Elliot has a different profile. Elliot is a bit bigger, probably a bit more aggressive, so I think both are very talented young players. I think Elliot probably has the edge right now, because he is a bit more physical, but I think Adam is a guy who could play with anyone because he is so smart."

Hargreaves compared Anderson to Declan Rice and believes the former Newcastle midfielder, who has been partnering with Rice in the center of England's midfield since September, has the character needed to succeed at United.

"He reminds me a bit of Declan in that he has been given opportunities and he is taking them. As a young player, he is progressing at a great rate and constantly improving. He has size, he has skill, he has it all. What I like about Elliot is that he seems to have personality. And that is what is needed when things get tough, because it is not so much about being a good player. It is more about whether you are able to handle the expectations that come with playing for a club like Manchester United. That is something you do not know, something you do not see in the data or in scouting reports. He seems to have drive."

Anderson hopes to help Forest beat Wolves on Wednesday in a crucial match to avoid relegation. It is one of 10 Premier League matches this week being broadcast live on TNT Sports.

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