CASEMIRO is determined to stay and fight for his place at Manchester United — despite hitting a new low on Sunday.
The veteran midfielder, 32, is a target for Turkish giants Galatasaray.
They would offer an initial loan deal – although his £375,000-per- week wages could prove a stumbling block.
Galatasaray know the former Real Madrid superstar is facing a battle for his place under Erik ten Hag after a horror show against Liverpool on Sunday.
He was at fault for the visitors first two goals and was replaced by youngster Toby Collyer, 20, at half-time to complete his embarrassment.
And he will now have United’s new £50.8 million signing from PSG Manuel Ugarte in his way when the Prem returns next weekend.
However Casemiro’s camp say he is not expecting to leave United any time soon and is fully focused on getting his season back on track.
Even so, Galatasaray are monitoring his situation and have time to weigh up their options before firming up any interest – as their window does not close until next Friday.
The lines of communication between United and Galatasaray are open – as the Turkish giants made enquiries for both Scott McTominay and Aaron Wan Bissaka.
Both ended up moving elsewhere but the Super Lig side are weighing up another approach as they look to add more experience to their midfield.
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SunSport revealed last month that Casemiro – who was left out of the starting line-up for the FA Cup final in May – had won over ten Hag with his pre-season form.
The manager also publicly backed him after his performance in the defeat to Liverpool and tipped him to come good.
United captain Bruno Fernandes told the squad everyone had to take responsibility for a performance which many pundits think could spell the beginning of the end for Ten Hag.
A source said: “Nobody was pointing the finger at Casemiro after the game.
“If anything the opposite was true and the mood among the dressing room was that everybody had to improve and do better.”
Casemiro’s wife came to her husband’s defence, reminding people of the many trophies he has won throughout his illustrious career.
Anna Mariana posted a picture of his collection of silverware on Instagram, with the Brazilian having won the Champions League five times as well as La Liga three times with Real Madrid and, most recently, the FA Cup with United.
She then posted a picture of her husband celebrating with team-mates writing: “Always strong Casemiro, the biggest .”
Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Graeme Souness, who was critical of Casemiro last season, said Kobbie Mainoo is not ready to start every game.
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Andre Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Toby Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
Souness told talkSPORT: “If anyone shows anything at United, they’re put into superstardom category, way before they’ve even become a good player.
“And Mainoo right now should be a player that’s flitting in and out of a good team – not coming in and being asked to stand up and play against the very best teams.”
The England youngster, 19, was easily pushed off the ball for Liverpool’s third and Mo Salah’s eighth goal at Old Trafford in seven appearances.
However new owners INEOS have been looking to slash the wage bill since they moved in at United earlier this year.
And the prospect of getting one of the top earners Casemiro – who turns 33 in February and might find games hard to come by in the coming months – off the books would be tempting.
United signed Casemiro for £60 million two years ago and he is under contract until summer 2026.
The former Real Madrid star was axed from the Brazil squad ahead of the Copa America in the summer and was not recalled for this month’s games.
United sources say they are expecting him to be back at Carrington next week to prepare for the trip to Southampton on Saturday week.
By PHIL THOMAS
NEARLY two decades have passed since Roy Keane led Manchester United into battle for the final time.
It left a gap in the engine room that the Red Devils have never really come close to filling in the 19 years that have followed.
Many tried and some managed it in flashes and, although the trophies still rolled in for a time, there was no snarling, bring-it-on warrior prowling the midfield.
Until now… until the imminent capture of a man who views a 50-50 challenge like a starving Labrador staring at a side of ham.
For three months, United have licked their own lips at the prospect of a midfield marshalled by Uruguayan tough guy Manuel Ugarte.
Finally, they have their man.
Ugarte is pretty much a ball-winner pure and simple.
Rarely will you see him pinging 40-yard passes to split a defence.
But ending his days with half the reputation of Keane and a fraction of his silverware would still mean a hell of a career.
