Thomas Tuchel has been linked with a move for Manchester United midfielder Casemiro (Picture: Getty)
Bayern Munich have no plans to make a move for Manchester United midfielder Casemiro in the January transfer window.
The experienced Brazil international has endured a difficult second season at Old Trafford during which he has struggled to maintain the form he showed during an impressive maiden campaign in the Premier League.
Injuries have hindered the former Real Madrid star who picked up an ankle injury playing for his country earlier this month and aggravated the problem in a Carabao Cup defeat against Newcastle which forced his half-time substitution.
With summer signings Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat adding an extra level of competition, the 31-year-old can no longer be considered an automatic starter just 18 months after he signed a long-term contract worth a reported £350,000-a-week.
Casemiro has been linked with an equally, if not more, lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League while Bayern, whose manager Thomas Tuchel is known to be an admirer, is also said to be monitoring his situation.
According to Sky Germany, however, the German champions have no intention of raiding Old Trafford when the window reopens, despite their own issues in midfield.
Casemiro, meanwhile, is unlikely to return in time for tomorrow night’s make or break Champions League clash against Galatasaray where teenager Kobbie Maino is in contention to keep his place after his eye-catching performance against Everton last weekend.
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So taken was he by Mainoo’s display, that former United star Rio Ferdinand believes he has already usurped summer recruit Amrabat in Erik ten Hag’s pecking order.
‘I don’t know how they gave the Man of the Match [award] elsewhere,’ Ferdinand said on Vibe With Five. ’18 years old, especially centre midfield, very rarely do you see a composed performance like that.
‘Away from home it’s crash, bang, wallop at Everton at Goodison [Park] under the circumstances they went there.
‘The way he was dropping in between the centre-backs, not even getting it and bopping it one or two touch, he was getting it, taking touches, drifting by people or away from people, away from the challenge and the press, and then releasing it. That’s what these centre-backs and goalkeeper have been waiting for – someone who can alleviate that pressure and beat that press.
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‘I thought about it the other day, 18-year-olds coming into the first team in the Premier League who gave performances like that… [Cesc] Fabregas? I’m not saying he [Mainoo] is as good as these guys, there have been more explosive but I’m talking about composure. This was a crazy performance.’
Asked if Mainoo now starts over Amrabat, Ferdinand replied: ‘At the moment, yeah.’
Ferdinand added: ‘Fundamentals, he [Mainoo] does the fundamentals well. But listen, it’s one game, let’s not go too overboard, we need to see this consistently.’
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