Sir Jim wants to get rid of one of Manchester United’s most important players
Casemiro is one of the highest-paid players at Manchester United REUTERS/Phil Noble.
New Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe intends to move on Casemiro as part of a squad overhaul.
After agreeing the deal with the Glazer family to buy a minority stake in Manchester United, the Ineos chief is set to take over football operations at the club.
Early suggestions from Ratcliffe and his team are that they are determined to put United back on the map. The easiest way to do that is by investing in new quality players. However, in order to strengthen the squad, they will have to shift several high-earning players out the door.
According to The Sun, the new decision-makers at Old Trafford have discovered “there are many extra costs in the squad that they are about to inherit from the Glazers.” This is expected to prove a stumbling block to any incoming business in the transfer market.
Manchester United want Casemiro to depart
It’s understood the new regime wants to sort a deal for Casemiro to trim the wage bill at United. The Brazilian, 31, is on a £350,000-a-week salary and still has two and a half years remaining on his deal, which he penned in August 2022 after exiting Real Madrid.
Casemiro’s ludicrous contract may make it difficult for the club to ship him out.
Read more: 22-year-old forward could be one of the first signings of Sir Jim Ratcliffe era
Another thing the Ineos group needs to be mindful of before cutting ties with the five-time Champions League winner is that he’s the only quality defensive midfielder at Erik ten Hag’s disposal.
The veteran midfielder was one of Ten Hag’s most important players last season and played a key role in the Red Devils’ League Cup triumph. In his lengthy absence due to multiple injuries this season, United have looked vulnerable in the middle of the park, with new signing Sofyan Amrabat failing to have a similar impact as the last man in midfield.