We are becoming Madrid lite? Varane, Ronaldo and now possibly Casemiro 
Casemiro | United Player
- Thread starter Tom Van Persie
- Start date
- Status
Yes
I actually liked the Matic signing at the time. Didn't quite work out, but didn't think he was a total disaster either. Ultimately, Casemiro is infinitely better than what we're currently operating with. I just think he has a lot of miles in those legs. The actual age doesn't bother me too much.
51 pages? How the heck did that happen and haven't you poor feckers had enough teasing and torture this window.
While we are at it let’s sign Morata and Asensio to have half their treble champions league winning team.We are becoming Madrid lite? Varane, Ronaldo and now possibly Casemiro
If the player is willing to come and RM is willing to sell then pay the money and get it done. No point over haggling. Don't remember if we were able to reduce the price in the same window by haggling endlessly.
I am so confused by his post. Sancho and Martinez are young and Varane was just 28 and should be playing at the top level for at least 5 more years. What exactly is long term? and how do these not fit into that line of thinking?
The best teams tend to blend experience and younger players and those 3 cover all of those bases, especially when you look at our squad and see a squad who have experience of winning nothing and a captain who is used to relegations more than trophies!
People moan about literally every possible signing, it is exhausting to think too deeply about the moaning. (Ironic comment from me considering my long response here!)
I don't understand how Ballbag can conclude Casemiro means ETH is abandoning his style.
Imo it means ETH intends on playing a conventional 433.
Imo it means ETH intends on playing a conventional 433.
There's a balance to be found. You can talk about long-term planning all you want and make every decision around that, but fact is if United finish 8th this season or worse, those plans and timelines surrounding them quickly go out the window.
United genuinely need to turn things around fast, and Casemiro would be the exact sort of signing you'd need towards achieving that. A world-class player in his prime who's used to playing at a club with the biggest of expectations and winning trophies, not to mention he plays in the exact position United desperately need help at.
It's amazing to me the amount of United fans that will look at this and say 'he's too old and doesn't fit into a long-term plan' when the team is so bad in the here-and-now, and when he's exactly the type of player who can help raise the level the team is currently performing at.
Instead they'll probably point to a promising but inexperienced 23 year old who's at a smaller club, and expect him to make that transition easy. Hard enough I'm sure at the best of times to make a move to a huge club at such a young age, let alone when that club is in complete disarray.
I’m pleasantly surprised that this seems to have some credible reports and mutual interest from Casemiro. Similar to the Varane saga in that respect when mostly everyone thought no chance.
Tweet
— Twitter API (@user) date
You can always and should always build long term. Cavani, Ronaldo.. short term stop gaps that would help us, did they?
Look at the well run clubs, Real, Liverpool, City.. they almost never sign players over 30, and definitely not for big money. Why? Because then you need to replace them in 2 years. Bayern signed Mane who's the same age.. but he cost £30m, not £60m, which is fairer value that takes into account age.
It was the other poster that said players like him improve in their mid 30s.
The point is we're nowhere near a complete team. We'll still need a RW, CM, Striker, RB. That's not going to happen this summer, and given how bad our recruitment is, probably won't happen next summer either. Then in 2-3 years time we'll need to replace the £60m DM we've just signed, but by then we'll still most likely need to fill other positions so we'll be reluctant to do it.
And that's of course if Casemiro can stay fit and playing close to 50 games a season doesn't catch up to him. I like the player but spending big money on him again strikes of no foresight or planning. We don't have a bottomless pit of money and need to be smart about our signings.
Ten Hag isn't married to a formation and ballbag is a massive idiot and ABU.
Looking at him I wouldn't expect him to have that sort of length, but good for him.
They bought Becks, Ruud and Heinze from us in a short span too.We are becoming Madrid lite? Varane, Ronaldo and now possibly Casemiro
He is a troller, don't mind him, I am sure he deliberately wrote "30 YO" in one of his tweets related to Casimero transfer talk to United, he just needs clicks and views. What better way than to target it at Man Utd
Ballbag probably never watched Ajax and has no idea that Edson Alvarez exists.
It’s exactly what you’re saying. Maybe they don’t think signing one of the best in the world in their position is foolish.
If we take Frenkie as our template for what EtH wants in his holding mid, Casemiro is almost the complete opposite of that profile. Unsure why we’re going for a big name signing who doesn’t fit what the manager wants, especially at that age, (reported) fee, and (reported) wages. He’ll need replacing in 2-3 years anyways.
Yes, he’s a wonderful DM, but he’s also played with Kroos and Modric for his entire career. He’ll be stepping into a midfield with one of McFred and Bruno/Eriksen
Yes, he’s a wonderful DM, but he’s also played with Kroos and Modric for his entire career. He’ll be stepping into a midfield with one of McFred and Bruno/Eriksen
Possibly… can’t remember a time we’ve ever signed anyone on a weekend. I’m sure I read up last week though that all signings had to be done by Friday to play in the next round of games.
Tweet
— Twitter API (@user) date
He was on the bench i think
If it doesn't happen what do we do as fans? Do we give up and start following Badminton?
I’ve always felt Fred would be best in the front half/ attacking third. He struggles to transition the ball from deep.
If he plays further forward he will help with a high press system which aims to win the ball high up. It’s a lot easier for him to find a pass after a counter press than finding a pass against a deep lying defence. He can win the ball high up and give it to the forwards that can do the damage.
I envisage him a bit like Wijnaldum in a high energy/intensity style high up the pitch.
We never had a line of thinking that saw us buy a DM though. Only with Matic ahead of Fabinho, but there isn't exactly others who want to join now is there?? And our need for one has never been greater IMO.
If this was going big on a striker or winger or CB or creative midfielder again, then sure... But for a DM? All for just fixing it even if it's only a few years. Gives Ten Hag a chance to implement a system with some midfield stability, and then work on what's next after. As it stands, he doesn't stand a chance
There absolutely no chance any younger top world class players (ie Haaland, Nunez, Tchouameni) would fanzy to join our circus. So we either go for expensive English flops like Maguire, AWB, Sancho or we go for relatively unproven younger foreigners like Fred, Dalot, Telles, Bruno or we go for established worldclass players who are approaching their 30s like Casemiro, Varane etc
I’m just going to shamelessly support Man City. It’s just so much less stress. Weekends are more fun.
If he signs, he should be given the captain armband and let Maguire rot on the bench
This could be done inside 48 hours. It’s amazing how fast we can work when we’ve got a rocket up our arse
I can’t recall one of these signings ever coming off…like the Vidal, cesc, Thiago saga’s…i’ll take myself to the mirror and just ask myself why I fell for it again
Right, but the point is, that's a vicious circle. Because of our focus over the years on the short term at the expense of the long term, we find ourselves in this situation again. This isn't really a comment on Casemiro, per se, it's more of a general comment on us as a whole. As I said above, his age doesn't bother me so much, but I do think he's got a lot of miles in those legs. Ultimately, he's way better than anything we currently have so I'm not that averse to the signing.
But eventually, this club will need to sort their shit out and look beyond the here and now. Because what you're saying is true, but it's been true for nearly a decade. And that's a problem.
You think football is corrupt? Badminton is an absolute racket.
Looks like this one is a goer. Very pleased with the signing if it comes off but obviously not happy with all the stuff surrounding it. Plus with all the takeover talk, I can't get excited about anyone coming in who's not a new owner at this point.
Ultimately, it's a world class player and regardless of age and cost and desperation and his reasons for coming here - He will improve us massively NOW and ultimately, considering the ineptitude of everyone involved in our transfer window, that's all I can hope for.
Ultimately, it's a world class player and regardless of age and cost and desperation and his reasons for coming here - He will improve us massively NOW and ultimately, considering the ineptitude of everyone involved in our transfer window, that's all I can hope for.
Just look at his latest team with Ajax. He played Edson Alvarez next to Gravenberch. Its the same thing style wise.
Wow, I loved the idea of De Jong but casemiro would be a great get! So who plays with him? Bruno and Eriksen? Bruno and Fred? Thankfully Scotty rides the bench now.
You want him to play DM and CB? Big ask but possible
It's also less expensive to enjoy the Etihad's atmosphere. You invest in 3 blue sky shares and put them in your living room.
No he played the whole thing. Both times.
Accept the fact, United have to pay a premium, you will find it a lot easier. All these players that other teams buy on the cheap, we'd have to pay a premium for.
The point is even if we were to sign a young exciting midfielder, they wouldn't be as good as Casemiro for a few years, his contract would be close to ending then Madrid or someone would come in and get him on the cheap for his prime years.
- Status