For the past year, Manchester United have been fully aware that a major midfield rebuild was looming this summer, particularly with Casemiro having announced his departure at the end of last season. Replacing his experience, physicality, and leadership has long been one of the biggest priorities on the recruitment agenda.

That need has only become more urgent following Manuel Ugarte's recent ACL injury. His absence leaves United alarmingly short of options in the double pivot, with Kobbie Mainoo currently the only established senior midfielder naturally suited to the role. While Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes can operate deeper when required, both are at their best in more advanced positions where they can influence the game closer to the goal.

The arrival of Éderson, which now appears to be all but complete, goes some way towards addressing the issue and provides an immediate boost to the squad. Even so, United's work in the market is far from finished. The club still requires at least two more midfield additions, with one expected to be the marquee signing capable of filling the enormous void left by Casemiro's departure.

With competition across Europe for many of their primary targets, Michael Carrick's side cannot afford to delay. If United are to complete the midfield overhaul they have spent months planning, they must move decisively before more of their priority signings pass them by.

One name that has been circling about a potential midfield signing is Borussia Dortmund's Felix Nmecha, who, after a string of impressive performances at the World Cup, could be on the move this summer.

After missing out on their main midfield targets in Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, transfer expert Ekrem Konur has revealed that United are ready to make a move to sign the 25-year-old.

Speaking to United In Focus, he said: “Preparations for a concrete move are underway at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are understood to be planning a bid in the region of €60 [£51] million for Nmecha.

"United are targeting a profile that can add both physical presence and technical quality in midfield, and Nmecha is viewed as a player who could sit at the heart of that rebuild."

Nmecha has attracted interest from a variety of clubs, but Manchester United hold a key advantage over the likes of Chelsea, with Jason Wilcox having worked with Nmecha during his time as academy director at Manchester City

Manchester United's hunt to replace Casemiro with an elite defender has proven harder than expected, with the club already missing out on several marquee signings that have altered their plans for the summer.

As reports indicate, Nmecha is joined by Aurélien Tchouaméni and Alex Scott as the three main candidates for the club's marquee midfield signing.

While it will be tough, the signing of Tchouaméni would be a real sign of intent from INEOS that they are looking to restore the club to where it belongs at the summit of the Premier League table, and would be the closest replacement to Casemiro.

The reports linking Andrey Santos to United came out of the blue, and could prove to be a good signing with plenty of upsides. The Brazilian, as well as Bournemouth's Tyler Adams, appears to be a potential third midfield signing to add key depth, with both players likely to command a £50 million fee.