Manchester United are plotting a huge swoop for Real Madrid star Casemiro to solve their midfield problem, according to a report.
The Red Devils need to make wholesale changes after losing their first two Premier League games of the season, which also happen to be Erik ten Hag’s first two competitive matches in charge. They were beaten 2-1 by Brighton on August 7, before losing 4-0 at Brentford over the weekend.
Manchester United were particularly awful against Brentford. They lost aerial battles, failed to play out from the back and made terrible individual errors in the defeat.
Ten Hag went with a midfield two of Fred and Christian Eriksen to start with. However, Eriksen struggled in the deeper role and effectively gave away a goal when trying to help the defenders build out from the back.
Fred came off at half time and was replaced by Scott McTominay. While the pair didn’t contribute to any Brentford goals on Saturday, they did little to help United.
Ten Hag had been hoping United would bring in Frenkie de Jong to improve the central midfield area, which has been a problem for years. However, the Dutchman is eager to stay at Barcelona. And if he does have to leave, due to Barca’s financial woes, then he wants to join Chelsea over United.
United did have an agreement in place with Barca for De Jong’s move to Old Trafford. But as it has taken so long for them to try and sort out personal terms, that deal has now expired. As such, United would have to start from scratch if De Jong were to join this summer.
Man Utd want Adrien Rabiot and Casemiro
United officials appear to have accepted defeat in the De Jong saga. Instead, they are planning to solve the midfield nightmare by capturing Adrien Rabiot and going after Real Madrid’s Casemiro.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, the Red Devils are considering a move for Casemiro this month.
To make matters even more interesting, the club has directors in Madrid right now. Perhaps they are about to enter discussions with Real and Casemiro’s agent over a switch to the Theatre of Dreams.
If United do begin talks over his signing, then they will have to put a huge bid on the table. Carlo Ancelotti has a great relationship with Casemiro and does not want to lose him.
Los Blancos do have younger midfield options in Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and summer arrival Aurelien Tchouameni. Despite this, the experienced trio of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric remain vitally important.
Real do not want to disrupt the squad by letting one of the most important, and successful, players leave.
Real will not be forced into a sale either. That’s because the Brazilian enforcer’s contract at the Bernabeu runs for another three years.
Even if United somehow manage to reach an agreement with Real, it would be hugely surprising if Casemiro went to Old Trafford. At Real, he is highly likely to win one, if not two trophies this season.
Whereas United are in a period of change and probably won’t win anything this term. Plus, they cannot offer Champions League football after only qualifying for the Europa League.