Despite speculation of a potential move to the Saudi Pro League, Manchester United's experienced midfielder Casemiro has captured the attention of head coach Erik ten Hag with his strong pre-season form. The Brazilian's absence from the Copa America squad allowed him to start training early and he has impressed in both the Community Shield and Premier League opener. The relationship between the two had reportedly broken down last season, but Ten Hag now wants to keep the 32-year-old at Old Trafford due to his improved fitness levels and belief that he can still contribute at the highest level.
Despite rumors linking him to the Saudi Pro League, Manchester United's Casemiro has turned heads with his impressive pre-season form, solidifying his place in Erik ten Hag's plans.
Background:
Casemiro joined Manchester United from Real Madrid in August 2022 on a four-year deal. However, reports emerged during the summer that he was considering a move to the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Hilal rumored to be interested. The move was reportedly motivated by financial reasons and the prospect of a quieter lifestyle.
Pre-Season Performance:
Casemiro returned to Manchester United early for pre-season training due to his absence from the Copa America squad. He has since featured prominently in the team's pre-season games, including the Community Shield and Premier League opener. The Brazilian has showcased his defensive prowess, ball-winning ability, and leadership qualities.
Relationship with Ten Hag:
Reports had suggested that Casemiro's relationship with Ten Hag had deteriorated during the previous season. However, the Dutch manager has been full of praise for the midfielder's pre-season form. Ten Hag is said to believe that Casemiro can still contribute at the highest level and is keen to keep him at Old Trafford.
Future Prospects:
With Casemiro's impressive pre-season performances, it appears that the rumors of a move to Saudi Arabia have subsided. The 32-year-old is now expected to play a significant role in Ten Hag's United team, providing experience and stability in the midfield. His improved fitness levels and commitment to the club suggest that he will continue to be a valuable asset for Manchester United in the upcoming season.
Q: Is Casemiro leaving Manchester United? A: No, Casemiro is not expected to leave Manchester United at this time. He has impressed manager Erik ten Hag with his pre-season form and is now seen as a key part of the team.
Q: Why was Casemiro linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League? A: There were reports that Casemiro was considering a move to the Saudi Pro League due to financial reasons and the prospect of a quieter lifestyle.
Q: What has Ten Hag said about Casemiro's pre-season performance? A: Ten Hag has praised Casemiro's pre-season form and said that he believes the midfielder can still contribute at the highest level.
Q: What is Casemiro's role in Ten Hag's team? A: Casemiro is expected to play a significant role in Ten Hag's team, providing experience and stability in the midfield.
Q: What is Casemiro's contract status? A: Casemiro signed a four-year deal with Manchester United in August 2022, which will run until June 2026.
As India prepares for the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, the sudden retirement of R Ashwin has left a gap in the team's spin attack. In his place, the selectors have called up Mumbai's all-rounder Tanush Kotian, who has 101 wickets under his belt in 31 First-class games. With Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja also in the mix, Kotian's inclusion adds strength to India's spin bowling.
India has selected talented all-rounder Tanush Kotian to join their squad for the fourth and fifth tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series. The series is currently tied 1-1 with India winning in Perth and Australia responding with a victory in Adelaide. The action now moves to Melbourne and Sydney for the final two tests. Kotian, who has had a successful season with Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, will replace R Ashwin in the squad as he joins the team in Melbourne on Tuesday. This will be his first appearance in the Indian Test squad.
After a tumultuous start to his stint with Real Madrid, French striker Kylian Mbappe has finally found his footing in the team with an impressive run of form. Despite being a World Cup winner and one of the most decisive players in the world, the 26-year-old initially struggled to integrate himself into Carlo Ancelotti's system. However, a crucial missed penalty and the support of his coach have turned things around for Mbappe, who is now settled in the team and playing with confidence.
On Sunday, December 22, Liverpool and Tottenham faced off in a highly anticipated match that ended in a 6-3 victory for Liverpool. With an incredible offensive display, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah led the team to victory with three goals and an assist, solidifying their spot at the top of the Premier League table. The intense back-and-forth game kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle blew.
Fans of Bournemouth were elated as their team secured a 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford for the second consecutive season. United's defeat pushed them to the 13th spot in the Premier League and highlighted their struggles with anxiety and sloppiness on the field. The Cherries' victory was thanks to goals from Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert, and Antoine Semenyo, leaving United fans frustrated with their team's poor performance. With this defeat, United have now conceded nine set-piece goals this season, raising concerns about their defense.
In a heated second ODI match between South Africa and Pakistan, prolific batter Heinrich Klaasen has been fined 15% of his match fee and given a demerit point for violating the ICC Code of Conduct. The incident occurred on December 19, causing a stir in the cricket world. This is not the first time Klaasen has faced disciplinary action, adding to his track record.
Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Amir recently praised Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, calling him the greatest batsman of this generation. Amir believes that Kohli's work ethic and unbeatable record in all three formats of the game make him incomparable to others from this current generation. He also described the special moment of dismissing legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who he had always admired and considered a brilliant batsman.
In the world of football, change is inevitable, but oftentimes it can be a double-edged sword. As talks of a potential new ownership group for Everton continue to swirl, manager Sean Dyche remains confident that he can lead his team to Premier League survival. With the uncertainty surrounding the future of the club and the possibility of a big name being brought in to replace Dyche, it's important for Everton fans to proceed with caution and consider the consequences of their desires. Meanwhile, as matches continue to unfold, fans can stay up-to-date with commentary on the BBC Sounds app or through their smart speaker.
Football expert and columnist Jamie Carragher believes that Liverpool's 6-3 win against Tottenham on Sunday was not only a statement in the Premier League title race, but also a performance of champions. The win, combined with Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Everton, has now given Liverpool a four-point lead at the top of the table heading into Christmas. Carragher praises the team's dominant away performance and believes it sends a clear message to their title contenders.
In a disastrous 6-3 defeat against Liverpool, an injured Tottenham side faced heavy criticism for their playing style, with pundits questioning whether their tactics would ever lead to success. However, manager Ange Postecoglou remained steadfast in his belief and refused to change his approach, despite conceding six goals for the second time in Premier League history. Spurs languish in 11th place in the league, raising further doubts about their playing style and future under Postecoglou's leadership.