By Davidson Abraham
•Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United Head Coach.
(Sundiata Post) Manchester United have reportedly put Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho up for sale in the January transfer window.
Erik ten Hag has been under immense pressure as United manager in recent weeks and he is ready to take a ruthless approach when the window opens in the New Year. The 2-1 win over Chelsea on Wednesday has eased the pressure in the short term, but the Dutchman knows he needs to remodel his squad in the long term to achieve success.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will soon take sporting control of United, with his £1.3billion deal for 25 percent of the club awaiting ratification. And The Independent reports that Ten Hag is keen to make a statement by listening to offers for high-profile players like Casemiro, Sancho and Varane.
A move for Sancho in the transfer window does not come as a surprise, with the £73m winger currently exiled from Ten Hag’s squad following a very public falling out. But reports that former Real Madrid duo Casemiro and Varane have been transfer listed signals a change in approach by United.
United splashed out £60m to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid in August 2022, putting the experienced midfielder on a four-year contract worth £300,000-a-week. He was hailed as a transformational signing in his debut campaign, but has struggled at times this season and is currently out injured.
Ratcliffe, who has previously criticised United for investing “dumb money” in players, singled out Casemiro in meetings with the club hierarchy earlier in the year. The INEOS billionaire would prefer the club to target younger players, who come with greater potential and a resale value.
Varane joined United for £34m back in the summer of 2021 from Real Madrid and has struggled to stay fit during his time with the club. He has not started since the 1-0 win over Copenhagen on October 24 and missed the win over Chelsea with a sore back, according to Ten Hag.
The trio are among United’s highest earners and Ten Hag recently played down the possibility of United making several signings in January, suggesting the club need to sell before they can buy. They spent over £170m in the summer to bring in Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana, while over £200m was spent in the summer of 2022 to sign Casemiro, Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.
Asked by the United We Stand fanzine if the club will sign new players in January, he said: “I don’t think so – and if so, the approach from United should be that if you can improve your team, then you should do. What we expect from every player coming to Carrington every day is for them to give their maximum, to give their best.”
United have lost 10 of their 22 matches this season and sit sixth in the Premier League table with 27 points from 15 games. They face a must-win game against Bayern Munich next week in their bid to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.
