Casemiro endured a somewhat injury-stricken start to 2023/2024 and has often looked off the pace when anchoring Manchester United’s midfield now that he’s fit.
Despite his recent string of lacklustre showings, the Brazilian is a mainstay in the starting 11 and is unlikely to be dropped by Erik ten Hag given his illustrious experience.
He is now partnered by emerging talent Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park, who continues to impress with each outstanding shift he puts in against such senior opposition.
It remains to be seen how long the duo will continue to line up alongside each other, as Casemiro has been heavily linked with a summer move away from Old Trafford. The 32-year-old is the club’s highest earner on a whopping £350,000 per week and it’s thought that new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has plans to lower United’s eye-watering wage bill over the coming months.
In the opening stages of last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton, the ex-Real Madrid ace lost possession six times within the first 20 minutes, causing Mainoo to step in and try to calm down his counterpart.
Speaking on The Athletic’s Talk of the Devils podcast, journalist Carl Anka weighed in on why the incident should count as a red flag for Ten Hag.
“It’s a little concerning that your five-time Champions League winner needs to be told to calm down by your academy graduate,” Anka declared.
