Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has thrown an unexpected name into the ring as a potential successor for Casemiro this summer: Granit Xhaka. The Danish icon believes the Swiss midfielder could provide the leadership and experience the Red Devils desperately need in the center of the park.

Xhaka has been a driving force in Sunderland's midfield this season, reminding fans of his quality after a brief but successful stint with Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga and two other major honors. With 256 Premier League appearances across eight seasons—split between Arsenal and the Black Cats—Xhaka knows the English game inside out.

Casemiro's departure feels imminent. The Brazilian, now 34, has just one home game left at Old Trafford before ending his four-year tenure. Since arriving from Real Madrid in August 2022, he's made 110 Premier League appearances, but age and a dip in form have signaled it's time for a change. His exit leaves INEOS with a monumental task: replacing a five-time Champions League winner who still managed nine league goals this term—his best-ever scoring campaign in England, bringing his United total to 26 across all competitions.

The problem? INEOS has made it clear they're targeting players for the long haul, not stopgaps in their 30s. Kobbie Mainoo, at just 21, is the only nailed-on starter in midfield, meaning the club might need multiple signings to stabilize the area. Xhaka, now 33, doesn't exactly fit the youth-first philosophy.

Still, Schmeichel didn't hold back on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast. "I have one," he said, hinting at his pick. Xhaka may not be the flashy name fans expect, but his leadership and goal-scoring knack—23 for Arsenal and one for Sunderland in all competitions—make him a compelling, if controversial, option. For a team in transition, sometimes experience speaks louder than potential.