Man Utd must cut their losses on decaying Casemiro

Casemiro appears to be nearing the end of his career, prompting calls for Manchester United to offload the aging Brazilian in the upcoming summer transfer window if they hope to address their most glaring weakness.

The once stellar Brazilian, Casemiro, is struggling to meet the demanding standards of the Premier League, prompting calls for Manchester United to part ways with him in order to progress.

A year ago, in a pivotal match against Bournemouth, Casemiro's spectacular bicycle-kick goal secured a crucial victory for Manchester United, securing their spot in the Champions League. It was a memorable moment for the Brazilian, who had made a significant impact in his debut season with the club, bringing a winning mentality honed during his tenure at Real Madrid.

Under the leadership of Erik ten Hag, United appeared to be on an upward trajectory, with Casemiro expected to play a central role in the team's resurgence. However, as the team prepares to return to the Vitality Stadium, Casemiro's influence has waned, with his performances now hindering rather than propelling the team forward. It's time for Manchester United to acknowledge this decline and seek a new destination for the Brazilian midfielder.

Dragged all over the pitch

Following Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, Casemiro confessed to losing sleep over the club's disappointing season, but it's his own performances that have been causing nightmares for many fans.

The Brazilian midfielder's campaign was already underwhelming, and his return from injury against Brentford only exacerbated the situation. Against Chelsea, he struggled to keep pace with the game, epitomized by his inability to track back as Nicolas Jackson surged towards the United area in the first half.

Subsequently substituted by Ten Hag with 15 minutes remaining at Stamford Bridge, United's loss of Casemiro's experience was evident as they conceded late goals, relinquishing their lead.

Against Liverpool, Casemiro's deficiencies were even more apparent. He was frequently outmaneuvered by Alexis Mac Allister, losing possession on 16 occasions, and recorded a pass completion rate of just 67 percent, the lowest of any player who started the match for either team.

Odds stacked against him

Casemiro's struggles in the current season can be attributed to three key factors: the high pace of the Premier League, his advancing age, and Manchester United's chaotic style of play.

Having spent the majority of his career in La Liga, which generally features a slower pace compared to the Premier League, Casemiro faces the challenge of adapting to the relentless intensity of English football. This transition is particularly challenging for a player like Casemiro, who recently turned 32 and has accumulated a considerable number of matches for both club and country.

Moreover, Casemiro finds himself in a Manchester United side known for its chaotic and demanding style of play. While some players have managed to excel within this system, such as Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Diogo Dalot, Casemiro seems to struggle to keep up with the demands of this high-intensity approach. These factors collectively create a challenging environment for Casemiro to perform at his best, making his struggles understandable in the context of the season.

Not cut out for Ten Hag's style

Jamie Carragher has been one of Casemiro's most vocal critics, particularly highlighting his performance during Liverpool's 7-0 demolition of Manchester United last season. While many pundits directed their criticism towards Bruno Fernandes after the match, Carragher instead pointed out Casemiro's lackluster display, stating that the Brazilian was "not at the races from the start."

Despite acknowledging Casemiro's previous standout performances before the Merseyside debacle, Carragher has maintained his criticism of the midfielder throughout the current season. In a podcast last October, Carragher suggested that Casemiro's abilities were on the decline, comparing his situation to that of Fabinho at Liverpool the previous year.

Moreover, Carragher has also been critical of Erik ten Hag's tactics at Manchester United, particularly describing them as "impossible" in a recent analysis of the team's 'high press, low block' style. As more pundits echo Carragher's sentiments, evidenced by United's high concession rate of 87 shots in their last three matches, it becomes apparent that Casemiro may not be well-suited to Ten Hag's tactical approach.

Weighing down the wage bill

Gary Neville highlighted the short-term nature of Casemiro's transfer during an episode of his Stick to Football podcast in January. He emphasized that a poor recruitment decision can have long-lasting repercussions, as players cannot easily be moved on. According to Neville, Casemiro's signing is a prime example of a short-term acquisition that will have negative consequences in the long run. He suggested that the transfer should have been vetoed by the club's sporting director, owner, or head of recruitment.

Additionally, it has been reported by The Athletic that Casemiro's high wages were a contributing factor in Manchester United's inability to sign Harry Kane last summer, due to constraints imposed by the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Manchester United are already nearing their limits under these financial regulations and stand to incur significant losses if they fail to qualify for the Champions League. Consequently, offloading Casemiro and reducing their wage bill has become a pressing priority for the club. Given Casemiro's perceived unsuitability for the level of play required, this decision appears to be a straightforward one.

Closer to retirement than resurgence

Despite recent criticism, it's important to acknowledge Casemiro's professionalism and dedication. In 2019, he famously canceled a family vacation to Disney World after a disappointing match to return to training early. Known for being among the first to arrive at training sessions at Carrington, Casemiro has been praised by manager Erik ten Hag for his leadership qualities, organizational skills, and strong mentality.

However, while leadership is valuable, it can only compensate so much for declining physical abilities. Despite earning goodwill in his first season, Manchester United can no longer afford to keep Casemiro on their roster. With incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox facing a significant rebuilding task, finding a new club for Casemiro will be a priority. It may prove challenging to secure a transfer fee close to what United paid for him two years ago or to match his wage demands. Nevertheless, the club must accept this as a necessary step to move forward.

Ultimately, parting ways with Casemiro may entail short-term difficulties, but it will be beneficial in the long run. As his performances indicate a decline and retirement seems more likely than a resurgence, it's imperative for Manchester United to make this decision sooner rather than later.