Manchester United lost 0-1 to Arsenal in their Premier League opening on Sunday, despite putting on a strong performance. As a result, they had to leave Old Trafford empty-handed.
In the defensive midfield position, Ruben Amorim started Casemiro rather than Manuel Ugarte, and the Brazilian turned back the clock with an incredible performance.
By protecting the back four well and breaking the lines with his passes, he rarely gave the Gunners’ attackers time on the ball.
The Red Devils persisted until the Uruguayan, who had a memorable cameo, replaced the Brazilian. The head coach needs a new deep-lying playmaker, to reiterate.
Casemiro future
The ex-Real Madrid player cannot play week in and week out at this stage of his career, and with his current term scheduled to end in 2026, INEOS will need to prepare ahead.
The co-owners lobbied for Carlos Baleba of Brighton because of this. The Seagulls, however, refused to sell, so the team had to look for other targets.
If a claim from the Saudi Arabian publication Al-Riyadh is to be believed, the 20-time English league champions’ plans to return for Baleba next year may now be expedited.
They have claimed that Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad are interested in landing the 33-year-old this summer, on the insistence of Karim Benzema.
Benzema eyeing reunion
The former Real Madrid great has suggested that his club aim to sign the United star in order to get back together with his old teammate.
However, the United No. 18 might not consent to a move at this time because he hopes to play in the World Cup next year. Instead, he may try to get that final big paycheck when he becomes a free agency the following year.
According to a source close to Al-Riyadh, Frenchman Karim Benzema, the captain of the Al-Ittihad football team, suggested to the Jeddah club’s sports management that they sign Brazilian Carlos Enrique, also known as “Casemiro,” the midfielder for Manchester United.
According to the same source, Al-Ittihad Club has already made the Brazilian star their goal in their quest for a standout midfield player.
How will United react?
Between 2013 until 2022, when they were both at Real Madrid in Spain, Benzema and Casemiro, 33, enjoyed a strong friendship. Al-Ittihad wants to bolster its midfield by adding a player with experience and the capacity to plan both offensive and defensive plays.
Considering how much he has admired and trusted the midfield general over the past six months, Amorim will not be happy if an exit occurs.
But if Casemiro were to go, INEOS would save a lot of money on salaries. They would then undoubtedly look for a top replacement, most likely Adam Wharton or Baleba.
A low-cost procedure is anticipated if the midfielder, who was born in São Paulo, stays at Old Trafford. The club is in for an intriguing summer window finale.
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