Casemiro’s Manchester United Future Uncertain Despite Ten Hag Praise
Erik ten Hag has hinted that Casemiro could remain at Manchester United this season, praising the Brazilian’s leadership qualities.
At the start of the transfer window, there was speculation that the Brazilian International could be on his way out of Old Trafford, with some clubs in the Saudi Pro League interested in signing him.
However, those offers appear to have dried up after he struggled in his second Premier League campaign, at times having to be deployed as an emergency centre-back due to injuries.
He was also left out for the FA Cup final win; he was initially named on the bench but was later removed from the United squad, saying he was injured.
Although the Ten Hag appears to be against the club’s notion, he praised Casemiro’s leadership qualities and suggested he could be set for a third year in Manchester.
“You have to make choices – what was needed for that particular game [the FA Cup final],” he said in an interview with The Guardian.  “But he is a very important player.
“He is a leader, and he can make a difference for our team. No one can play every game. It’s impossible.
“All the players who are here, if they want to play for us, want to play for the bench, and they have the quality, then I hope they keep contributing to our team. We have seen that Casemiro in his career is so successful.”
Casemiro has played all of Manchester United’s pre-season games so far, managing 61 minutes against Real Betis in San Diego on Wednesday.
He scored the Red Devils’ third goal of the match but also had the most touches (67) and completed the most accurate passes (48/78) of any member of the squad.
