In top-level football, where reputation only buys you a brief grace period, hard truths eventually surface. John Obi Mikel, a man who understands the brutal demands of elite midfield play better than most, has offered a refreshingly direct assessment of Manchester United’s biggest weakness, and it is one that cuts deep while remaining rooted in respect. His message is simple: honour the past, but stop pretending it can still carry the present.
Mikel was quick to acknowledge Casemiro’s standing in the game, describing him as a true great whose trophy-laden career commands admiration. Yet admiration alone, he argues, cannot mask reality. According to the former Chelsea and Nigeria midfielder, the Premier League has exposed a physical decline that Casemiro can no longer disguise. The pace, intensity, and constant transitions of the English game leave no room for fading legs, and the qualities that once made the Brazilian dominant are no longer enough to protect United’s midfield.
This is not a criticism of effort or intelligence. Rather, it is a recognition that modern Premier League football is unforgiving to even the most decorated veterans. Casemiro’s game was built on being everywhere at once, shutting down danger before it developed. With a slight loss of mobility, those spaces now open up, and opponents are ruthless in exploiting them. The knock-on effect has been a midfield that struggles to shield the defence, control matches, or impose authority.
Mikel’s solution is as blunt as his diagnosis. He believes Manchester United must move decisively for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, a player he sees as the ideal answer to their problems. Valued at around £40 million, the young midfielder represents everything the current side lacks: power, energy, recovery speed, and the ability to dominate ground. Already seasoned by the Premier League’s intensity, Baleba brings a mix of physical strength and technical confidence, capable of winning the ball and immediately driving his team forward.
For United’s manager, Michael Carrick, the message carries extra weight. As a former midfield general himself, Carrick understands better than anyone how crucial that area is to a team’s identity. Strengthening it is not a luxury but a necessity, and delaying the transition only prolongs the damage. Signing Baleba would signal a clear break from short-term fixes and a commitment to building around youth, athleticism, and control.
Mikel’s comments are not meant to diminish Casemiro’s legacy. That chapter is secure. Instead, they serve as a reminder that football moves fast, and sentiment cannot dictate strategy. If Manchester United are serious about rebuilding and competing again, the midfield must be reset with clarity and conviction. In Mikel’s view, the path forward is obvious: respect the legend, accept the decline, and invest in the future before the cracks grow any wider.
