United reignite interest in 24-yo PL powerhouse eyeing big move, rivals are scrambling – report

Between now and the summer, Manchester United will inevitably continue to be linked with some of the finest midfielders in the game.

Indeed, it is football’s worst-kept secret that the 20-time English champions are desperate to strengthen their engine room.

With Casemiro set to leave, Manuel Ugarte failing to convince as his replacement, and the clear need for quality additions, United could therefore embark on a full midfield overhaul.

Amadou Onana

Only weeks after Everton’s Amadou Onana openly expressed his desire to join a world-class club, The Peoples Person recently covered a report suggesting that United were keen to reignite their interest in the Belgian midfielder.

Villa respond

Now, according to Football Insider, Aston Villa have responded to the Onana-to-United speculation.

The outlet claims: “Aston Villa are determined to keep hold of Amadou Onana beyond the end of the season.”

Furthermore, the report adds: “Unai Emery views the 24-year-old as an important part of his first-team squad and hopes he will continue the positive progress he has made at Villa Park.”

Consequently, there is genuine hope at Villa Park that Onana will stay. The belief is that “there are other names on their list of targets which may give Villa confidence they can keep hold of him.”

Nevertheless, as Villa fight to retain their star man, it remains to be seen whether United will persist in their pursuit of Onana. After all, the Red Devils have admired him for a long time, having tried to sign him from Everton in 2024 before he opted to join Villa instead.

One of the best in the league

Since then, at Villa Park, Onana has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s finest central midfielders.

His rapid recovery pace, ability to break opposition lines, and ball-carrying strength have combined to make him a top-tier destroyer with genuine box-to-box qualities.

As a result, he is, without doubt, a player United could rely on as a brilliant Casemiro replacement, while at the same time offering a fresh dynamic in midfield.
Featured image Dan Mullan via Getty Images

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