Manchester United are set to undergo a midfield overhaul during the upcoming off-season. It is expected that Christian Eriksen and Casemiro will depart, and it is unlikely that Sofyan Amrabat’s loan move will be made permanent. Therefore, investing in the midfield is crucial for the team. One potential target for United is Benfica’s Joao Neves, who has been performing exceptionally well in Liga Portugal.
However, United are not solely focused on Neves. They have learned from their past mistake of putting all their efforts into signing Frenkie de Jong, which ultimately failed. Another player rumored to be on their radar is Wolves’ Joao Gomes, who could potentially replace Casemiro.
Although Casemiro has been a decent signing, he was not the first choice for United. They turned to him as a temporary solution when it became clear that De Jong would not be joining the club. Whether Neves or Gomes becomes the long-term target remains uncertain. However, Gomes has the advantage of having Premier League experience, which could be a priority for United.
Gomes joined United from Flamengo last January and has become a regular starter under Gary O’Neil this season. His impact in the midfield has been significant, particularly in terms of tackling. He ranks fourth in the Premier League for tackles per 90 minutes among players with at least 15 appearances, highlighting his strength in this aspect of the game.
In comparison, Casemiro is averaging 3.8 tackles per 90 minutes, but notably, he is being dribbled past 2.5 times per 90 compared to Gomes’ 1.8 per 90. As Casemiro’s age catches up with him, opponents are finding it easier to outmaneuver the experienced Brazilian, posing a significant issue for United.
United’s matches under Erik ten Hag often resemble basketball games. Ten Hag’s team ranks seventh for shots taken (402) and fourth for shots conceded (467) in the Premier League this season. While this style of play may be entertaining for neutral fans, it is a nightmare for supporters who crave more defensive solidity, leading to the desire to bolster the midfield during the transfer window.
On the other hand, Wolves have allowed their opponents 400 shots in the Premier League this season, the ninth-highest in the league. Despite conceding five more goals (44) than United, 13 of those goals (29.5%) were scored in the six league games where Gomes did not start. It’s understandable why Wolves would demand a substantial offer for the former Flamengo player.
However, as is common for a player in his role as a midfield enforcer, Gomes often finds himself in trouble with referees. Only Conor Gallagher (58) has committed more fouls than Gomes (44) in the Premier League this season. This could be problematic for United, who have conceded 10 goals from set-pieces in the current campaign, the seventh-highest in the league.
Furthermore, Gomes’ passing accuracy needs improvement to progress further in his development. Wolves’ possession average of 47.6% ranks 11th in the Premier League, but if Gomes’ passing accuracy improves, that percentage could increase. While his current pass success rate of 82.5% can be enhanced, Casemiro’s pass accuracy of 83.5% is also subpar for a player of his experience in a team like United.