Rio Ferdinand has tipped Manchester United midfielder Casemiro to leave the club before the January transfer window closes after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim.
Casemiro featured heavily for United at the start of Amorim’s reign but has not played a minute in the last two games after a poor showing against Newcastle United.
When Amorim opted to take off Kobbie Mainoo ahead of extra-time in Manchester United’s FA Cup third-round clash at Arsenal on Sunday, it was 21-year-old academy graduate Toby Collyer who was preferred to over five-time Champions League winner Casemiro.
Casemiro became one of the most successful players in Champions League history at Real Madrid, making over 300 appearances for the Spanish giants and also lifting three La Liga titles.
United spent £70m to sign Casemiro in 2022 and he showed promising signs in his first season at Old Trafford, playing 51 games in all competitions.
But Casemiro endured a difficult 2023-24 campaign and was urged to quit top-level football by the likes of ex-Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher.
Casemiro’s struggles have continued this season and with his minutes drying up under Amorim, Ferdinand believes a January move could be on the cards.
Discussing Casemiro’s situation at Manchester United, Ferdinand said n his YouTube channel: ‘Is the player happy to be on the bench?
‘I don’t think Casemiro will be happy. At any point in his career he’s never been on the bench.
‘So if he’s on the bench now, if an offer came in, he’d listen to it, but also the club, you can see now they are bringing on Toby Collyer.
‘If they get an offer they require, that they want, I don’t think it will be something that will be difficult to happen.
‘If he wants to go and play football, who are we to stand in his way at this stage of his career.’
Ferdinand was impressed by Collyer’s impact against Arsenal as he helped Manchester United shut out the Gunners before they went on to triumph on penalties.
‘Toby Collyer was excellent when he came on,’ the Old Trafford legend added. ‘The energy levels were huge, through the roof. Testament to him.’
Manchester United are expected to trim Amorim’s squad before the winter window closes at the end of the month, with Marcus Rashford keen to leave in an attempt to revive his career.
Joshua Zirkzee, who scored the winning penalty against Arsenal, has also been linked with a move back to Italy.
FA Cup holders Manchester United will face Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Amorim’s side, sitting just 13th in the Premier League, return to league action on Thursday night against bottom-placed Southampton.
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