Manchester United have spent the summer desperately trying to convince a top-tier, Champions League-playing midfielder to join their cause and transform Erik ten Hag's side. They may not have succeeded in getting Frenkie de Jong but, instead, they've somehow managed to snag Casemiro.
United have agreed to sign Casemiro for a fee of £60million, potentially rising to £70million, to finally solve their issue in defensive midfield. The five-time Champions League winner will sign a four-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further 12 months, and will be one of the club's highest earners.
His arrival makes a significant improvement to Ten Hag's midfield, which has been found wanting in defeats to Brighton and Brentford so far this season, and here's how United could line up with him in the team.
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4-3-3
Casemiro has made his name and won his medals over the last decade mostly playing in a 4-3-3 at Real Madrid as part of one of the best midfields of all time. He was always the anchor, sitting at the base of the trifecta to protect the defence and quickly getting the ball to his partners in crime in Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
The 30-year-old won't have the same level of players on either side of him in the middle at United which is a bit worrying. Yet, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen can both offer a high level of creativity and could flourish with Casemiro protecting them.
Ten Hag hasn't been able to deploy the 4-3-3 yet at United but Casemiro's arrival should allow for it to work.
4-2-3-1
The manager has instead been using a 4-2-3-1, with disastrous results. But that's been because of the lack of a dedicated holder who can do the dirty work in the double pivot and allow the other midfielder to be more creative.
Eriksen was brilliant in a deeper role for Brentford last season but was caught out twice against his old side for the first two goals as he had no options available to give the ball to. Casemiro, a player who has proven time and again to be comfortable in taking the ball under pressure and moving it on, would be a perfect partner for the Dane.
If they could build a good understanding then it would provide a solid foundation for United's attackers to work off.
The Brazil Connection
Interestingly, Casemiro already has a great working relationship with one of United's midfielders in Fred. The pair have starting alongside each other regularly for Brazil in recent times and it has been of huge benefit to Fred.
With Casemiro on hand to sit deep and clear up any trouble, it has freed Fred to play in a more advanced, all-action role which has often made him look like a different player when he's donning the famous yellow of Brazil.
If they can recreate that relationship in Manchester it may finally see Fred reach the level that so many believe he can for the club.
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