Casemiro a key figure in Rubem Amorim’s plans and is open to letting him leave.
The Brazilian midfielder, who joined the club from Real Madrid for £60 million, could be sold for half that amount when the window reopens.
Amorim is said to favor working with Manuel Ugarte, a player he previously coached, and views the Uruguayan as his preferred defensive midfielder.
Kobbie Mainoo is expected to partner Ugarte in a two-man midfield setup, with Bruno Fernandes operating in a more advanced role.
The report also suggests that Joshua Zirkzee might be on his way out in January. The summer signing has struggled to adapt at Old Trafford and is already being linked with a return to Serie A.
In addition to Casemiro and Zirkzee, players such as Marcus Rashford, Christian Eriksen, and Antony have been rumored to be considering exits from Manchester United next year.
Meanwhile, football pundit Jamie Carragher has criticized Casemiro’s performances last season, suggesting that the Brazilian should move to less competitive leagues like the Saudi Pro League or MLS, as he believes the midfielder’s time in Europe’s elite leagues has come to an end.
He said on Sky Sports (via Independent): “I think Casemiro, I am being deadly serious, should know himself tonight as an experienced player, that he should only have another three games at the top level, the next two league games and the [FA Cup] final, and thinking I need to go to the MLS or Saudi.
“I am being deadly serious. His agent or the people around him need to tell him it has to stop. We are watching one of the greats in modern times, played in one of the best midfielders in modern time – him holding [Toni] Kross and [Luka] Modric on either side, who could easily go up against the Barcelona midfield we all know and loved.”
“I am nowhere near the level of what that man achieved, but I always remember something when I retired. It was a saying I always remember as a footballer. Leave the football before the football leaves you. The football has left him at the top level. He needs to call it a day at this level of football and move,” he added.
Casemiro hit back saying it was disrespectful and he had no plans to leave the club. He wanted to stay and prove his worth despite reports claiming interest from Galatasaray.
