With Casemiro set to exit Old Trafford, Newcastle’s midfield powerhouse has reportedly set his sights on a summer switch to Manchester United.
Manchester United’s long-standing midfield search may have finally reached a turning point. Despite the success of Michael Carrick’s interim tenure and the resurgence of Casemiro, the Red Devils are preparing for a massive summer overhaul. At the heart of those plans is Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, with reports suggesting the £100m-rated Italian is now eager to join the project at Old Trafford.
United’s decision to prioritize forwards like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo last summer paid dividends, but with Casemiro’s departure looming in June 2026, the engine room requires “major surgery.”
The ‘New Roy Keane’ Comparison
The link between Tonali and United legend Roy Keane isn’t just hyperrole. Like Keane in his prime, Tonali is a rare breed of “all-action” midfielder who can dictate play from deep or crash the box to score vital goals—much like his recent FA Cup brace against Aston Villa.
Former United star Paul Scholes recently added fuel to the fire, claiming Tonali is currently “better than” Arsenal’s Declan Rice and the best midfielder in the Premier League.
Sandro Tonali: By The Numbers (24/25 Season)
To understand why INEOS is prepared to sanction a potential British record fee, one only needs to look at Tonali’s statistical dominance:
| Stat (per game) | Record |
| Pass Accuracy | 86% |
| Tackles & Interceptions | 2.3 |
| Ball Recoveries | 4.9 |
| Total Duels Won | 54% |
| Goals/Assists (Total) | 6 |
The Battle for Tyneside’s Crown Jewel
Securing Tonali won’t be easy. Newcastle, under Eddie Howe, view the 25-year-old as their centerpiece. However, Football Insider reports that Tonali’s camp has piques interest in a move to Manchester, especially after rumors that his agent offered him to Arsenal in January were dismissed.
For United, landing Tonali would be a repeat of their 1993 masterstroke when they poached a young Roy Keane from Nottingham Forest. In the modern era of specialized roles, Tonali offers the versatility and “monster” mentality that Carrick’s midfield is currently missing.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
