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Man Utd 'transfer plans' to leave duo who have caught Casemiro's eye out in the cold
Casemiro may see two of his partners in crime cast aside by Manchester United.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag previews the Fulham game
Manchester United star Casemiro has enjoyed a stellar debut season but could see two of his co-stars be moved further down the pecking order or sold ahead of next season. Despite the ongoing takeover process, plans are already being put in motion for the upcoming transfer market as Erik ten Hag will be keen to further improve his squad.
Shortly after completing his move to Old Trafford, Casemiro was quick to point out five of his new team-mates that had impressed him after joining from Real Madrid. “Every team has its own way of playing,” Casemiro told The United Review.
“It’s true here I have a greater role in attack. The style of play here is different, the build-up play, the manager, the league, the club are all different. Every club has their own way of playing, the most important thing is adapting quickly, that’s what I try to do.
“I’ll say it again, it’s impossible to do it on your own. There’s the quality of my team-mates. There’s Licha [Lisandro Martinez] and [Raphael] Varane – high quality players. Christian [Eriksen] who I played alongside for a long time, another exceptional player. Fredinho [Fred], another excellent player, then there’s Bruno [Fernandes] who plays a bit further forward, a world-class player.”
Now, United’s current transfer plans may see two of Casemiro’s midfield partners suffer a setback. Forbes have claimed that Ten Hag wants to change his current formation from 4-2-3-1 to a shape that involves two number eights either side of the Brazil international, as Mason Mount and Fernandes could fill those roles.
Eriksen, someone who Casemiro namechecked upon his arrival at Old Trafford, would then provide cover in a reduced role - having often been one of the first names on the teamsheet when fit this season. While Fred, another Casemiro favourite, would likely sit behind Eriksen in the pecking order.
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Fred has been recently linked with an exit from the club, with just over a year left on his current United contract and was spotted in conversation with Fulham boss Marco Silva following the two sides’ meeting on the final day of the Premier League season.
Reports had claimed that United were considering selling Fred in the summer and pursuing a younger midfielder, with Eriksen and Casemiro already into their thirties, as Mount is the favourite to take over having failed to agree a new contract at Chelsea and appears to prefer a move to United instead of Liverpool or Arsenal.
Fernandes would remain alongside Casemiro, but the pair could be set for a new midfield partner as Ten Hag looks to make some big changes in the upcoming window.