The close of the Premier League window on August 30th does not mean Manchester United’s summer business is done and dusted.
Turkish Super Lig clubs are free to sign players until September 13th.
And, a year after Manchester United terminated Eric Bailly’s contract and allowed the defender to head out to Besiktas, Casemiro’s increasingly-catastrophic Red Devils career could be brought to a timely end by another Istanbul-based giant.
According to reporter Turkish Ali Naci Kucuk, writing on X, Super Lig champions Galatasaray opened talks with the veteran Brazilian after his disastrous performance against Liverpool.
Whether Casemiro – or Man United for that matter – are willing to consider such an opportunity remains to be seen.
Similar questions are hanging over the head of Christian Eriksen, another highly-experienced midfielder who has been linked with an Old Trafford exit for very different reasons.
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Christian Eriksen likely to stay at Manchester United
While Casemiro has started all three of Man United’s Premier League games so far in 2024/25, Eriksen has played a grand total of four minutes.
An ‘unsustainable’ situation, to quote interim Denmark coach Lars Knudsen.
While Eriksen is part of his squad for September’s Nations League fixtures, the 32-year-old might not be so fortunate come October or November if he is still twiddling his thumbs on the Old Trafford bench.
Denmark legend Thomas Gravesen expressed concerns over Eriksen’s lack of regular game time before this summer’s European Championships.
And with Eriksen even further down Erik ten Hag’s pecking order now than he was a few months ago, Gravesen is even more worried about the position Denmark’s influential captain finds himself in.
“That is my big, big question mark. Again, he has gone through a transfer window where he had the opportunity to play football, but where he simply chose to say no,” Gravesen tells ViaPlay.
Eriksen’s agent – Martin Schoots – explained to Voetbal International this week – that the former Tottenham Hotspur ace would prefer to fight for his place at Man United rather than embark upon a fresh start in Turkey, America or the Middle East.
A rumoured return to Ajax has also been played down, while Belgian giants Anderlecht ruled out a move of their own a few days ago.
“I get so upset because I have such high expectations of him,” adds Gravesen, accusing Eriksen of showing ‘a lack of ambition’.
“I don’t understand what is going on. It looks like he’s now been told he’s going to get fewer games this year.
“It is therefore a mystery to me that he keeps saying; ‘I feel good and it’s great to be here’. Well, don’t you want to play football?.
“Why do you get selected for the national team when you don’t play football? Now what is that? I can accept one time, but now he is going to sit a whole season without playing football. You cannot take out a player who does not play football.
“This is really a player that the Danish national team needs. A player that the Danish national team needs in top form, and now he sits with four minutes in his legs against Liverpool.”
Denmark captain sees Ajax and Anderlecht moves ruled out
Erisken, who has only one year left on his contract, has made no secret of his frustration about a lack of regular first-team chances. But nor is he in any ‘rush’ to leave England for a second time.
Man United’s involvement in the revamped Europa League means opportunities should be forthcoming, while an injury to Mason Mount also pushes Eriksen closer to a return to Ten Hag’s set-up.
Former Denmark defender Morten Bruun shares Gravesen’s view, however, telling TV2 that Eriksen is clearly no longer trusted in Ten Hag’s first XI.
“I will keep an eye on Christian Eriksen,” Bruun explains. “He needs to go somewhere where he can get some playing time.
“There is nothing whatsoever to suggest that Erik ten Hag trusts Eriksen. If Eriksen stays at United, I think he will get minimal playing time, and then it will be problematic.”
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