Man Utd told ‘great’ Casemiro is ‘not the answer’ as Ten Hag ‘needs years of backing’

Liverpool legend Dietmar Hamann has suggested that Casemiro is “not the answer” for Man Utd as they need a lot more if they are going to challenge.

Optimism grew around United during pre-season following the arrival of Erik ten Hag from Ajax.

This has quickly waned though as Man Utd have made an awful start to the 2022/23 campaign.

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It looks like their defeats against Brighton and Brentford have made United get a wriggle on in the transfer market.

A lot of time was wasted in their pursuit of FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but they have now agreed a deal to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid. 

The five-time Champions League winner is recognised as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and his Madrid teammate Luka Modric is gutted that he’s leaving:

“The Casemiro thing is a shame, we have made history with him, he has been a fundamental piece for us and we are going to miss him a lot, as a player and a person,” Modric said.

“This is part of football, I am sad to see him go but we have to keep going without him and each player has to give even more in terms of the things he did.”

United will pay Real Madrid an initial £60m for the Brazil international, who is set to pen a four-year contract.

Hamann has moved to talk down the signing as he feels that this purchase will only stand as a “small step forward”:

“Casemiro is a great player – you only have to look at what he has won at Madrid. But he isn’t going to United to win the league, is he?” Hamann told The Mirror.

“We’re only two games into the season and it’s already obvious that United aren’t going to be anywhere near the title race. They are years behind Liverpool and Manchester City – and they are losing ground on Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal as well.”

Hamann added: “Signing Casemiro is a small step forward – but he’s not the answer.

“It is going to take years and years of backing Erik ten Hag in the transfer market before United are challenging for the big trophies again.

“But that’s been obvious since [Sir Alex] Ferguson retired – and look at how many managers they have sacked in the process.”