Casemiro's Successor? Walton Responds to Manchester United Transfer Rumors! Data Confirms Amorin's Urgent Need for Midfield

Manchester United maintained a lead for the majority of their away game at Tottenham, yet soon after Casemiro was taken off in the 72nd minute, the hosts managed to level the score and then score a second goal, almost ending United’s unbeaten streak. Data reveals that of the 20 Premier League goals conceded by Manchester United this season, only 5 occurred while the 33-year-old Casemiro was playing, with the remaining 15 happening when he was off the field or not playing.

In the last two games, Manchester United led 1-0 when Casemiro left the pitch, but after his departure, the opponents scored twice. This serves as praise for "The Bulldozer" himself, yet is a critique of the other players. Without Casemiro, neither Ruben Amorim nor the rest of the team seem to know how to cope.

Currently, Manchester United only plays one match per week, allowing Casemiro to stay on the field for 70 to 80 minutes. However, with a tighter schedule ahead, his physical demands will increase. It is reported that in the Tottenham match, Casemiro felt discomfort after a tackle and requested to be substituted. United cannot afford the risk of a long-term injury to Casemiro, so they quickly brought on Ugarte.

Manchester United is certain to bring in a new midfielder in 2026, regardless of whether Casemiro renews his contract. Crystal Palace’s Adam Walton is one of the leading candidates, praised as the "new Carrick." This week, the 21-year-old English midfielder addressed the transfer rumors linking him to the Red Devils, but he described such gossip as nothing unusual.

Walton still has four years left on his Crystal Palace contract. He joined in 2024 from Blackburn for £18 million, and his market value has since soared. If he secures a stable position in the England national team, his price will rise even further. British media say there is a gentleman’s agreement allowing a transfer for £60 million next summer.

Walton told "Athletic": "I haven’t really paid close attention to these matters or thought about them too much. Social media is always full of rumors—are they true or false? You tell me! My friends and family keep messaging me, asking if that club really wants me. I always reply, ‘Thanks for letting me know; I didn’t even realize.’"

When asked whether Manchester United is interested in signing him, Walton replied: "I don’t know who is spreading these stories or if anyone at United is genuinely considering it. I only find out from reports, then just carry on with my life. Big clubs like United usually have rumors linking them to a dozen or twenty players; I’m just one of them. So it’s nothing special, and it doesn’t mean anything important will happen. I’ll discuss my future plans and options with my agent."

From a professional standpoint, Walton clearly shows more resilience than Carlos Baleba, whose form dropped sharply after failing to transfer to United last summer. Regarding whether he will move next year, Walton said: "Ultimately, it depends on who is interested and willing to try to sign you—that’s the reality. You can speculate, but I need to perform on the pitch and prove I deserve it all."

As Walton mentioned, Manchester United is linked with many midfielders, who are often compared to various club legends. This week, rumors surfaced that the Red Devils are interested in a 16-year-old German midfield talent dubbed the "new Kroos." Kennet Eichhorn of Hertha Berlin has appeared 9 times this season and has attracted attention from Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain.

However, according to Premier League regulations post-Brexit, clubs can only sign foreign players who are at least 18 years old. Therefore, if United want to sign Eichhorn, they will have to wait until 2027 to have the chance.