It will be another summer dominated by talk of long-term signings and a youth-centric transfer policy for Premier League clubs, although at Manchester United, it was experience that won the day this season.

2026, in particular, saw a 33-year-old Harry Maguire enjoy a real resurgence under Michael Carrick, while across the campaign as a whole, Luke Shaw was back to his consistent best, starting all 38 Premier League games following a previously injury-hit few years.

Ahead of the long-serving pairing was also the stellar midfield duo of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, the two men battling through Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 chaos to again emerge as the difference-makers under Carrick.

Nine league goals for Casemiro. 21 league assists for Fernandes. That's the type of quality and influence that the two men brought to the table in 2025/26.

With the Brazilian on his way after a fine end to life in Manchester, however, all eyes are on just who could now replace him.

£50m midfielder is desperate to join Man Utd alongside Ederson

It would appear that a first signing of the summer is now a matter of when and not if, with regard to Atalanta's Ederson, with INEOS wasting no time in ramping up their pursuit of the 26-year-old.

Formerly a leading target for Atletico Madrid, the Brazilian appears to be edging ever closer to joining United instead, with reports even suggesting a deal could be completed imminently.

For a potential fee of around £39m, the expectation is that the South American is just the first midfield incoming, the type of figure to improve the squad while not necessarily raising the levels in the starting lineup.

A more statement addition could well follow, with SportsBoom indicating that the Red Devils remain in the race to sign West Ham United star, Mateus Fernandes, amid the likely exit of Manuel Ugarte.

The report says that the Portuguese playmaker has admirers at Old Trafford, with the United skipper, in particular, said to be a 'huge fan' of his compatriot.

Following West Ham's recent relegation, the 21-year-old is set to be available for around £50m, with the report also adding that Fernandes is seemingly desperate to make the move, outlining that he would 'jump at the chance' to join Carrick's side.

Mateus Fernandes - the perfect Bruno & Casemiro hybrid?

Casemiro is already on his way, while there will, at some stage, come the time to think about a succession plan with regard to the captain, with Bruno Fernandes still yet to sign a contract extension.

That could well be where young Mateus Fernandes proves the perfect addition, therefore, with the former Southampton man boasting elements to his game that very much align with the experienced United duo.

It might not be obvious initially, considering his relatively slight stature, but the £50m man does actually boast the Casemiro-esque, ball-winning brilliance, as he's shown in a difficult season for the Irons.

Typically deployed in a midfield two alongside Tomas Soucek, Fernandes has been a combative, all-action workhouse in east London, averaging a stellar 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game.

That is not too far off what Casemiro achieved in his debut season in the Premier League, the Real Madrid hero averaging 4.4 in that regard, prior to averaging 3.5 this time around.

He's not afraid to do the dirty work, as was also seen during his time with the Saints, having averaged 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game in 2024/25.

That suggests he could provide much-needed mobility and athleticism alongside Kobbie Mainoo, while Fernandes also has the ball-playing, creative quality to suggest he might even emulate his namesake too in United's midfield.

Of course, Bruno is the cream of the crop, fresh off his record-breaking assist haul and mammoth 33 'big chances' created, although the younger man did chip in too for the Hammers, racking up seven goals and assists, while creating three 'big chances'.

There's still a way to go in that regard, although the West Ham starlet did also register six goals and assists and six 'big chances' created last year, suggesting this campaign has been no flash in the pan.

In the view of one analyst, he is even like a "deep-lying Bruno Fernandes", such is his ability to spray passes from deep, while he also has his own knack for the spectacular, boasting a stellar goal catalogue already across his time in England.

For a possible £50m fee, this could be a case of United killing two birds with one stone, bringing in another ball-winning monster to fill Casemiro's shoes, yet also ensuring there is a genuine understudy for captain Fernandes too in that midfield unit.

What's not to like?