18 August 2023 , 08:06
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Jamie Carragher has claimed that Manchester United star Casemiro could already be left behind following a number of illustrious midfield signings.
The Red Devils signed the Brazilian last summer for a £70m fee from Real Madrid.He enjoyed an excellent debut campaign at Old Trafford having helped the side to a place in the Champions League and won the Carabao Cup.
Despite his excellent showings for United over the previous year, Liverpool icon Carragher believes that his performances might already be on the wane. He has claimed that the Red Devils made a move for him after his peak years, whilst Casemiro could find it difficult to compete against this summer’s big midfield signings.
Arsenal broke the British transfer record to sign Declan Rice from West Ham, whilst Chelsea followed that up with their own big-money move for Moises Caicedo from Brighton. Writing in his Telegraph column, Carragher said: “Caicedo and Rice are examples of thinking ahead – going big now to save cash for the next six or seven years in which they will assume their role. I never believed Casemiro would be value for money.
“Not because there is any doubt that he has been a world-class player. But because he is at a stage of his career when he cannot not fully repay United’s massive fee.
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“He was a panic buy when he joined a year ago, bought in the immediate aftermath of the failed pursuit of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona; an ageing, stellar name signed for big money and on a massive salary to appease increasingly disgruntled fans, despite the fact he will need replacing with a similarly massive outlay two years on.
Casemiro enjoyed an excellent debut season as a Man United player (Getty Images)Do you agree with Jamie Carragher? Share your thoughts in the comments below
“He is precisely the kind of signing United have been moving away from this summer as they look to the future. There is no doubt that Casemiro, 31, is a legend of the modern game. His honours speak for themselves, and for years he was one of the best players in the world in his position for Real Madrid.”
Carragher went on to claim that the Brazilian star might only be effective for United for a short period, whilst he also said that Casemiro “lacked the dynamism and energy required” for his role in the Red Devils’ slender 1-0 opening day victory over Wolves. He further believes that Ten Hag might be forced to enter the market once more to find a player who can match the abilities of some of this summer’s big money signings.
That is not expected to be cheap however. Carragher has predicted that another midfield addition could well cost in excess of £100m in the future.
Casemiro will certainly be hoping to prove Carragher wrong this weekend as Man United do battle with Spurs. Elsewhere, Declan Rice will likely be afforded his second Premier League outing for Arsenal against Crystal Palace.
Mauricio Pochettino could hand record signing Moises Caicedo his Chelsea debut this weekend as the Blues take on West Ham at the London Stadium.