Is Manchester United’s Ten Hag Making a Big Mistake with His Casemiro Replacement?. The appointment of a new player to replace Casemiro at Manchester United has caused many eyebrows to raise. There are questions about whether or not Ten Hag’s management style is putting the team at risk.
Manchester United is on a mission to revamp their team in the upcoming summer transfer window, with reports indicating Sir Jim Ratcliffe is eyeing a Premier League star to bolster their midfield.
Under Erik ten Hag’s leadership, the team has invested heavily in players like Casemiro and Mason Mount, but neither has fully lived up to their price tags. Instead, the team often relies on the performances of Scott McTominay and rising star Kobbie Mainoo.
Casemiro is expected to leave in the summer, with interest from Saudi Arabia, and reports suggest Wolves’ Joao Gomes is being eyed as a potential replacement. Gomes, who joined Wolves for ÂŁ12 million last year, has impressed, notably scoring both goals in a recent win over Tottenham.
Amid rumors of Gomes earning his first Brazil cap against England, his acquisition is seen as part of Ratcliffe’s strategy to move away from United’s tendency to splash out on big-name signings.
Wolves are reportedly scouting replacements, with interest from Tottenham and Newcastle, and a fee exceeding ÂŁ40 million is anticipated for the midfielder.
Despite Gomes’ reputation as a hard worker, nicknamed ‘The Pitbull’ in Brazil, concerns persist about his passing accuracy, currently at 82.5%, below the standard for top European midfielders.
While Gomes has shown improvement recently, United must weigh whether his style suits their needs. Analysis suggests United might not be the best fit for Gomes, with West Ham or staying at Wolves potentially better matches.
United’s search for a defensive-minded midfielder, alongside attacking talents like Mainoo, Mount, and McTominay, suggests they may seek qualities Gomes lacks, such as a high volume of progressive passes.
While United may believe they can develop Gomes’ skills or utilize his toughness, questions remain about his technical ability to transform Ten Hag’s midfield like Rodri or Declan Rice do for their rivals.
While United’s pursuit of cost-effective signings is commendable, it’s uncertain if Gomes is the answer to their midfield puzzle at Old Trafford.