Former Manchester United star Alan Smith believes Adam Wharton is a ‘natural’ replacement for Casemiro when the Brazilian leaves Old Trafford this summer.

United have a huge rebuild job in midfield on their hands with Casemiro set to depart when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Signed from Real Madrid for £70million in the summer of 2022, the 33-year-old has enjoyed a superb season at the heart of midfield and will leave a gaping hole when he moves on this summer.

United were already targeting at least one new midfielder before the Brazilian confirmed his decision to leave Manchester having tried to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton at the end of the summer transfer window.

Interest remains in the Brighton star with Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson thought to be United’s top target heading into the summer. Crystal Palace’s Wharton is also a player greatly admired at Old Trafford.

Replacing Casemiro will perhaps be the most important business United do this summer. Smith was once tasked with replacing another hugely influential presence in midfield in Roy Keane, converted from a striker to an all-action midfielder by Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2005.

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