Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has picked holes in Man United’s Casemiro deal. Casemiro is set to arrive at the Old Trafford club after Man United cleared all hurdles and strings attached to the deal.
Manchester United have made a significant leap in their attempt to acquire a holding midfielder after attempts at Frenkie de Jong crashed.
With Man United fans heaving a sigh of relief and expecting more breakthroughs in the transfer market, popular pundit and former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand has highlighted some defects of the highly publicized deal.
Ferdinand took both negative and positive aspects of the deal. He pointed out age as a significant concern that will not play out well for the team regarding business in the transfer market.
“Are there negatives? Yes, there are. ‘Obviously the age, 30 years old. I wouldn’t say that’s a massive negative but I think if you’re talking from a business standpoint there’s gonna be zero resale value”, the Manchester United legend turn pundit said.
Casemiro is 30 years old, and the likelihood of the club generating good sales value up to £60m is very low if they decide to sell him in the nearest future. Manchester has to bank on what the Brazilian can achieve with the club.
Rio Ferdinand also blasted the outrageous amount that the club has dolled out to secure the deal, including the wage offer.
“Ao it’s £60m, plus £10m add-ons, and then obviously you bounce on top of that the wages. So you’re probably looking somewhere near £100m – if you get change out of that, you will be lucky”, Ferdinand noted.
Manchester United’s wage package for Casemiro is £350,000 weekly. This has shot the player into the ranks of top earners at the Old Trafford club. Ferdinand stated that it might be difficult for Manchester United to profit from the Casemiro deal.
He also highlighted another challenge which Casemiro may face at Manchester United – adapting to a struggling team.
“In a time when we don’t have the finances, it doesn’t seem we can bring big players we have put it all into him. So he needs to work”, the legendary English retired defender said.
“To come from Spain for Casemiro into a team that is absolutely bereft of any confidence, is absolutely struggling in all areas, tactically especially, physically, mentally. I think it’s going to be a huge ask for a 30-year-old to come in, recharge, reboot and go again.”
Manchester United has struggled in their first two Premier League matches. They have lost against Brighton at home and Brentford away from home. The arrival of Casemiro is hoped to bolster the squad and arrest the shambolic midfield.
Despite his criticisms of the deal, Rio Ferdinand has not thrown in the towel on the prospects of improving the team with Casemiro. He described Casemiro as a winner who knows how to get the job done, especially when it comes to the big games.
“[He has been] one of the main guys alongside the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema. Cristiano [Ronaldo] before that”, he added.
“When the big games come along, this guy performs. He knows what he’s doing, he’s there.”
Manchester United completed the Casemiro deal to the surprise of pundits. After flipping through other options, Casemiro emerged as a top target for Erik Ten Hag. Within a few days of negotiations, the deal was completed, with the 30-year-old set to arrive at Old Trafford soon for another chapter in his football career.
Casemiro has signed a four years contract with the Red Devils with an option of a year extension. Real Madrid has bagged £60m with a potential £10m as add-ons.
