Rumours are rife that Manchester United midfielder Casemiro could leave Old Trafford even after the conclusion of the January transfer window.
With the Brazilian transfer window still open, Flamengo are reportedly interested in recruiting the former Real Madrid star, who has fallen down the pecking order at United under manager Ruben Amorim.
Following his big-money move from Santiago Bernabeu to Manchester United, Casemiro made an instant impact with his top-quality performances, but his form quickly spiralled down, drawing the ire of the fans.
His inconsistency and the error-strewn performances provided a clear warning that he was struggling to cope with the intensity of the Premier League and has seen the better days.
The arrival of Amorim marked the end of Casemiro. The Portuguese manager started to prefer Manuel Ugarte, a young and dynamic defensive midfielder, in his starting XI, which saw the Brazilian’s playing time dwindle.
The reports also add that Flamengo’s deal could be a loan move, with Manchester United willing to cover a part of his salary until the end of the season.
With Casemiro potentially on his way out, here are the three players the Red Devils should target.
Morten Frendrup
Morten Frendrup’s performances with Genoa have completely gone under the radar as the Dane has been in sensational form this season.
The 23-year-old’s remarkable consistency in the engine room has seen him grow in stature as one of the best young midfielders in Serie A and Europe.
Unsurprisingly, Frendrup’s form has drawn the attention of top clubs in Serie A as well as in Europe, including Manchester United.
His playing style is box-to-box as not only does he excel In his defensive duties, but he can also be adept at playmaking, progressing the ball and crashing the box.
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Ederson ( Atalanta)
Among the finest midfielders in Serie A at the moment, Ederson’s influence behind Atalanta’s unstoppable run this season has been nothing short of extraordinary.
The 25-year-old Brazilian has enjoyed a steady rise at Atalanta over the past couple of seasons, and this term, he has become a pivotal figure in Gian Piero Gasperini’s expansive system.
His stellar performances in the Champions League have even brought him wider attention this season, and his presence will be crucial in Atalanta’s quest for trophies.
Manchester United need a defensive midfielder who should excel with the ball as much as he does off it. Ederson’s ability to dictate the play from deep coupled with his defensive instincts make him a great transfer target for the Red Devils.
Morten Hjulmand
A compatriot of Frendrup, Morten Hjulmand’s exceptional spell at Lecce raised huge expectations over his next club amid interest from an array of top European clubs, but he ended up signing for Sporting CP.
However, the Dane kept intact the hype around him as he continued to impress with the Portuguese giants. Under their former gaffer Amorim, also Manchester United’s current manager, Hjulmand thrived with his excellent consistency.
A defensively robust midfielder, Hjulmand also excels with his playmaking abilities. As a former protégé of Amorim, United can easily persuade the Dane to move to Old Trafford.
