Manchester United are reportedly planning to hand Casemiro the No.18 shirt once the formalities of his £60million switch from Real Madrid have been concluded.
A deal in principle was struck with the Spanish giants last week, with the Brazilian enforcer poised to become Erik ten Hag's fourth summer signing - and there are high hopes that the multi-time Champions League winner can finally solve Manchester United's long-standing midfield issues.
There are contrasting reports over Casemiro's current status for Monday night's clash against Liverpool, where United were hoping to unveil their newest recruit. However, Marca are claiming that a visa issue has now been resolved and that Casemiro is set to be handed the same iconic number that was worn by Paul Scholes when he is presented to fans.
Scholes is an Old Trafford legend after spending his entire career at the club after coming through the youth ranks as part of 'The Class of 92'. The England star clocked up over 700 appearances for the Red Devils, netting 155 goals in the process and bagged a hatful of trophies - including a staggering 11 Premier League titles.
Bruno Fernandes had donned the No.18 ever since he joined the club back in 2020, but the Portuguese playmaker vacated that number earlier this summer to take the No.8 shirt - leaving Scholes' old number free for United's new man.
Casemiro's arrival should bring an end to Ten Hag's summer-long search for a new No.6. The Dutchman had pursued Barcelona star, Frenkie de Jong, for months, but a deal always appeared to be unlikely given that United have failed to qualify for the Champions League.
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The capture of the 30-year-old has been questioned by United's all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney, but Ten Hag has insisted that the club's lack of a natural No.6 has been a major factor behind their disastrous start to the new Premier League campaign.
Speaking ahead of Monday night's crunch clash against Liverpool, the United chief explained: "I think we had a good basic pre-season, but then our No.9 [Anthony] Martial was injured and Ronny [Cristiano Ronaldo] is not fit.
"The 'six' in holding midfield is not there. First game, we had the two in defence who had never played with each other and the goalkeeper was also not the best in this period.
"There is a clear reason why. But I know we will fix that and I know that we will be better and the results will show this. It has been shown in pre-season."
