According to a new report from Manchester Evening News editor-in-chief Samuel Luckhurst, there is a consensus within the Manchester United dressing room that the recent decline in the performance of the team's central midfielder, Casemiro, is not a purely personal issue, but a direct reflection of the club's overall struggles. It is widely believed by his teammates that Casemiro did not anticipate that the team would quickly fall into such a difficult situation when he joined United, and that the blow of losing the Champions League qualification, in particular, has had a considerable impact on his psychological and athletic state.
In United's 0-3 defeat to Liverpool early last month, Casemiro was substituted early due to his poor performance, a move that signaled a possible challenge to his position in the team. With the addition of new recruit Ugarte, United's midfield may usher in a new pattern of competition, Ugarte is expected to occupy a place in the midfield position, and may even replace Casemiro to become the core of the team's midfield.
Despite Casemiro's contract with United running until 2026, the club had considered the possibility of selling him in the summer transfer market to ease financial pressure. However, interest from Saudi clubs did not translate into a substantial offer, putting that plan on hold for the time being. Casemiro performed well in his first season with United, not only scoring seven goals, but also providing a solid defensive midfield for the team. However, as last season progressed, his form and fitness declined, and he was even deployed more at center back in the late stages of the season, which affected his play to a certain extent.
