If United are looking to reinvigorate their midfield, the phenomenal ace may be the key.
After last year’s promising campaign under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United had a forgettable season due to a string of startling performances.
Despite having an FA Cup final to prepare for, it is against the almost unbeatable Manchester City. The Dutchman’s squad went out of the League Cup and Champions League before Christmas and seems to be a world away from the top four.
There are many players who could be singled out for their disappointing performances this year, but among them is the vastly experienced Casemiro. His mistake at the weekend allowed Burnley to score a late equaliser, but according to recent reports, United may be able to sign the ideal replacement.
Transfer rumours involving Manchester United
Spanish media outlets reported late last week that Barcelona would try to force Dutchman Frenkie De Jong out of the club this summer in an effort to address their continuing financial issues by attracting as much attention and investment as possible.
Two teams in the Premier League, along with PSG and Bayern Munich, are reportedly interested in signing the 26-year-old. It is reasonable to presume that United is one of those teams, given their persistent interest both historically and earlier this year.
The Blaugrana reportedly want £60 million (€70 million), which is a lot of money but not outlandish for a player of De Jong’s calibre, despite the fact that competition may be fierce for the holding midfielder.
Plus, the club’s Casemiro-shaped issue may be solved by him.
How Casemiro and De Jong are similar
To say that the former Real Madrid star wasn’t useful to United last season would be an admission of revisionism. He was (he was named BBC United Player of the Season, after all), but he hasn’t been himself this year.
Ronaldo’s transfer to Manchester United
According to Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender and current Sky Sports commentator, the Brazilian’s “legs have gone” earlier this year. Gary Neville, a former United full-back, has criticised the club’s decision-makers, saying that the “signing never should have gone through.”
So, how does De Jong’s performance stack up to that of the 32-year-old? Is the midfielder, who is six years his younger, too much for him to handle?
| De Jong vs Casemiro | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stas per 90 | De Jong | Casemiro |
| Goals | 0.11 | 0.06 |
| Assists | 0.00 | 0.11 |
| Progressive Passes | 9.23 | 5.44 |
| Progressive Carries | 3.79 | 0.56 |
| Goals per Shot on Target | 0.50 | 0.14 |
| Passing Accuracy | 92.1% | 81.4% |
| Attempted Passes | 92.0 | 63.6 |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 3.30 | 1.83 |
| Goal-Creating Actions | 0.50 | 0.17 |
| Successful Take-Ons | 0.71 | 0.44 |
| Tackles | 2.36 | 3.56 |
| Interceptions | 0.77 | 0.83 |
| Clearances | 1.54 | 3.06 |
| Ball Recoveries | 6.43 | 6.17 |
| All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 League Season | ||
The star, who was born in São José dos Campos, falls short in multiple categories. The metrics where he excels, like tackles, interceptions, and clearances, are probably due to the amount of defence he must perform for this United team, which is letting in an average of 17.6 shots per Premier League game.
The “simply phenomenal” Dutchman, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig, outperforms the competition in every statistical category. He scores more goals, has a better goal-to-shots-on-target ratio, maintains a far higher passing accuracy, attempts far more passes, creates more shots and goals, completes more take-ons, and recovers the ball more often per 90 minutes.
Although Casemiro was outstanding for United last season, he now seems to be light years behind the competition. If Ratcliffe is serious about reviving the club, he has to trade for a younger, more exciting midfielder like De Jong and replace him.
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