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Manchester United had twice as many shots as Liverpool but still ended up losing 0-3 in their final pre-season game of their United States tour.
After the club suffered two major injuries, Erik ten Hag has been forced into some changes and the team has once again started looking fragile at the back.
On Sunday, Casemiro was once again poor when it came to closing down space in the midfield and looked slow, something that was pretty evident in the last campaign.
He was at fault for Liverpool’s opener and he lost five duels out of seven while losing the ball 16 times. He was dribbled past three times as well, a problem that seems to be a continuing theme since last term.
Casemiro was poor vs Liverpool
There were glimpses of his undeniable class on show against Real Betis but the Merseysiders hardly allowed him the space and time to dictate play and things are only going to get tougher once the season kicks off.
He finished the game with only a 75 percent passing accuracy rate, while he also misplaced nine long balls (all stats via sofascore).
His performance was another reminder to the Glazers as to why they need to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain despite what PSG insiders have insinuated regarding the Uruguayan.
The 20-time English league champions need legs and energy beside Kobbie Mainoo and while Toby Collyer has impressed, he is still not the finished product.
Ugarte’s industrious nature would complement the academy graduate’s free-flowing style but moving Casemiro on has proved difficult. Ten Hag would like to keep a hold of him but INEOS want to get rid of his wages.
Will he be moved on?
Saudi Arabian clubs were interested but are yet to make a move and that has meant no progress has been made in Ugarte deal. However, with the Ligue 1 outfit inching closer to signing Joao Neves, the former Sporting Lisbon star could once again be on the market.
In case, the former Real Madrid superstar cannot be sold, a loan deal for the 23-year-old makes sense. Sofyan Amrabat remains a backup option.
If Casemiro does remain, he needs another defensive midfielder beside him or Ten Hag has not use him in select games as the frenetic pace sometimes tends to catch the five-time Champions League winner out.
A lot of pondering to do for INEOS and Casemiro is not helping his case. The season-opener is less than a week away.
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