Hansi Flick addresses Manchester United interest in Marc Casado

Manchester United might be scanning the market for midfield fixes, but Barcelona are clear on their stance of Marc Casado.

United are understood to be prioritising a new midfielder ahead of the summer, with Casemiro set to leave and the club needing fresh legs and control in the engine room.

It is a familiar rebuild job at Old Trafford, and one that looks set to shape the early months of the next window.

That search has recently taken United to La Liga, with Marc Casado mentioned as a potential option after interest in the Barcelona man gathered pace.

United have been linked with making contact to explore a deal, with tentative talk even floating around a Rashford-related swap scenario.

The clear news peg, though, is that Barca boss Hansi Flick has now addressed the noise directly, leaving little room for interpretation, according to Manchester Evening News.

“For me, there’s no question of him leaving,” Flick said. “We need everyone. Marc is a super professional player.”

He continued: “He deserved to play today [vs Real Oviedo]. He’s worked hard. I liked what I saw. That’s the Casado we want to see.”

It is a blunt message, and it lands at a time when United are trying to map out life after Casemiro, while also weighing up how their midfield balance evolves around Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.

For now, any move for Marc Casado looks unlikely unless Barcelona’s stance changes dramatically.

That is why United’s shortlist has started to look broader in recent months.

Elliot Anderson has been discussed as a Premier League-proven option, Carlos Baleba ticks the athletic, high-upside box, and Adam Wharton is viewed by many as the kind of long-term conductor United have lacked at times.

As such, with the long-term interest in the Premier League trio, it’s even more likely that one or more of the three could be at Old Trafford next season.