JAMIE CARRAGHER believes that Casemiro will end up costing Manchester United MORE than Arsenal’s £105m new boy Declan Rice.
The Red Devils forked out £70m last summer to bring the Brazilian midfielder to Old Trafford from Real Madrid.
PAJamie Carragher has highlighted a major ‘worry’ with Casemiro[/caption]
GettyHe believes the £70m Brazilian will end up costing Man Utd MORE than Arsenal’s £105m Declan Rice[/caption]
The 31-year-old has quickly become a favourite at United and helped them to a top four finish and Carabao Cup success last term.
However, Liverpool legend Carragher believes his performances could be on the wane as he highlighted a major “worry” after seeing his display in the 1-0 win over Wolves.
And he feels that Casemiro will struggle to compete against the most-expensive Englishman ever Rice and Chelsea’s £115m new midfielder Moises Caicedo and could eventually end up costing United more in the long-term.
Writing in his Telegraph column, Carragher said on Rice and Caicedo: “They are also good deals. The proof of that is the £70m Manchester United paid last summer for Casemiro.
“The Brazilian will end up costing United more than Arsenal and Chelsea paid for Rice and Caicedo.
“Caicedo and Rice are examples of thinking ahead – going big now to save cash for the next six or seven years in which they will assume their role.
“I never believed Casemiro would be value for money. Not because there is any doubt that he has been a world-class player. But because he is at a stage of his career when he cannot not fully repay United’s massive fee.
“He was a panic buy when he joined a year ago, bought in the immediate aftermath of the failed pursuit of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona; an ageing, stellar name signed for big money and on a massive salary to appease increasingly disgruntled fans, despite the fact he will need replacing with a similarly massive outlay two years on.
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“He is precisely the kind of signing United have been moving away from this summer as they look to the future.”
Carragher continued: “United are now being strongly linked with players such as Sofyan Amrabat to help Casemiro protect their back line, but they did not challenge Arsenal and Chelsea for Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Fernandez or Rice because they felt Casemiro was the same profile of midfielder when they went big for him.
“That demonstrates how unwise they were to pay so much. Given Casemiro has four years left on a reported £300,000-a-week Old Trafford contract, United still have a massive financial commitment on their hands.
“It has already cost them the chance to buy a younger alternative.”
And after seeing “red flags” last term in the 7-0 defeat at Liverpool, he is now even more convinced that United “paid a fortune for a short-term fix” after seeing Casemiro in action against Wolves.
Carragher added: “Casemiro was too often isolated and lacked the dynamism and energy required for such a responsible position.
“Erik ten Hag is already in a situation in which he needs to remodel his midfield because Casemiro does not have the legs to work alone.
“Every time United toiled in the middle, the contrast with the youth and vigour Arsenal and Chelsea have secured with their recent midfield purchases became more pronounced. “Although it was only one game, it was a worry for United supporters.
“They will not be title contenders until they find a Rodri, Caicedo or Rice of their own.
“After paying £70 million for someone who could do the job five years ago but will continue to struggle to match his previous high standards, the current market suggests they will need another £100 million for the midfielder to do so for the next five years.”
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