The Brazilian certainly made a difference last season. Signed from Real Madrid for £70m, Casemiro gave Manchester United some much-needed steel in central midfield. That strength made ten Hag’s tougher to beat, but Casemiro wasn’t the sort of midfield anchor he originally wanted.
Ten Hag has compromised Manchester United so much that his team is nothing like the Ajax that earned him the spot at Old Trafford in the top position. Now that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are in position as minority owners of the club, a review is coming and Casemiro may be one of the players propelled towards the exit door.
Casemiro is reportedly on a contract that earns him £350,000-a-week, making him the highest-paid player at Manchester United and one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League. At 31 years old, the Brazilian is entering the twilight of his career and his performances this season have reflected this. Are United really getting good value for their money?
A similar question could be asked of Raphael Varane. Also signed from Real Madrid, the Frenchman has been in and out of the Manchester United team this season despite him being on wages of £340,000-a-week. Nobody doubts Varane’s talent or experience, but is doing enough to justify his lofty salary?
While INEOS is said to be assessing the Old Trafford squad in the coming months and planning for the summer move window in which a number of new signings are expected to be made, there are signs that a number of high-paid players have been signed. Jadon Sancho has already left on loan from Borussia Dortmund.
By clearing the bridges as temporarily as possible, INEOS would give United the most productive chance of recovery next season, whether with Ten Hag in charge or not. Manchester United’s existing wage structure will restrict their duties in the summer move window and therefore INEOS can’t wait any longer for this issue.
Casemiro and Varane are exceptional players. In their time, they are still as intelligent as in world football in their respective positions. But if Manchester United are now building a new future, they want players who can help them get there. United want players for the future, but men from yesterday.