Gary Neville Claims Man Utd Signing Casemiro Was Not A Smart Move

English football pundit and former player, Gary Neville has sensationally claimed that Casemiro was ‘not a smart or shrewd’ signing by Manchester United despite the ‘devastating’ impact he has made since his arrival at Old Trafford. 

The 31-year-old Brazilian arrived late in the summer window after a move for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong failed to materialize and has brought added steel and a winning mentality to the dressing room, culminating in Sunday’s Carabao Cup win in which he netted the opening goal.

Neville has been blown away by his influence and feels long-time striker target Harry Kane could have a similar impact, though his suspicion is that Ten Hag would rather focus on young, up-and-coming talents now.

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When discussing United’s potential summer plans on The Overlap, he said:

‘I feel like Ten Hag is not going to sign [marquee names]. If new owners come in they’re going to want to make a statement, they’ll want to blow the transfer market open. I don’t think that will suit him,’ said Neville on The Overlap.

‘I think he’ll want those younger, hungrier ones that have still got that growth rather than the finished article.

‘Casemiro obviously defeats that a little bit, but you look at Antony and Lisandro Martinez, they’re younger and hungrier. I think that’s the type of player he’ll want to add to this squad rather than saying, “Oh, Kylian Mbappe’s available or so-and-so is available”.’

On the Brazilian, he continued: ‘But Casemiro, there’s no doubt – we all said it by the way – £60m? £70m? And £20m-a-year [contract] for five years is a £170m investment. That is a massive investment.

‘It’s not a smart or shrewd signing when you look at it from a [big picture] point of view. None of us thought that.

‘But the impact he’s having in the short term and what Manchester United need now, he’s devastating for the club in unbelievable ways.’

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Neville feels Kane could have a similar impact despite his advancing years: ‘You know something, I’ve worked with him and you watch him. He will score 30 goals, he will get 10-15 assists, and that is an absolute fact.

‘He’s a professional, the dressing room will love him, he’ll fit in straight away and he’s a guarantee for Manchester United. But if he’s going to cost £150million and he’s 30, then it’s a short-lived [signing].

‘So I think Harry Kane is the type of player who could take you to the title, he is, because he would just connect the whole of the midfield, the top of the pitch, he’ll score goals, the fans will love him, the players will love him and I don’t see how you can go wrong with him.

‘But the fact of the matter is, for the long term, it wouldn’t be something that worked. He’s got another five years left in his career by the way, so I don’t think there’s a problem with that, it’s just that he is, obviously, in the latter part of his career.’

Neville did go on to praise Casemiro’s influence, as he added: ‘The impact he’s having in the short term and what Manchester United need now, he’s devastating for the club in unbelievable ways.’

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Ten Hag paid special tribute to Casemiro, along with fellow veterans Raphael Varane and David de Gea, following their 2-0 win over Newcastle at Wembley on Sunday.

They know how to win trophies,’ the United manager said. ‘You need them on the pitch to organize the team, especially mentally and they have a winning attitude that they bring into the dressing room.’

Rashford also praised his team-mate Casemiro. ‘He makes a huge difference,’ the England striker said.

‘His leadership and experience is huge for us and when he’s on the pitch you feel that sense of security behind us.’