‘He’ll be gone in summer’: One of Erik ten Hag’s biggest Man Utd signings on ‘borrowed time’ as Ineos close to completing three-step plan

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Manchester United have been one of the busiest clubs in the January transfer window but may not make any more signings before the deadline.

The Red Devils have been working hard trying to give Ruben Amorim the players he needs to compete in his demanding 3-5-2 system.

And although United have been linked with Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey and Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, so far Patrick Dorgu, who joined from Lecce on Sunday, is the club’s only senior signing of the window.

Unfortunately, with time now running out, it doesn’t look like the Red Devils are going to get anyone else through the door, but despite that, after letting Marcus Rashford join Aston Villa, the focus remains on offloading those who are surplus to requirements.

Man United star ‘on borrowed time’ and set to leave in summer

Even though it is very unlikely he will be leaving Old Trafford before Monday night’s transfer deadline, Casemiro is set to be one of the first names out the door at the end of the season.

The Brazilian, who was signed from Real Madrid by former manager Erik ten Hag two-and-a-half years ago, is United’s top earner on a staggering £350,000-a-week (Capology), and according to the Daily Mail’s Chris Wheeler, is Ineos‘ preferred pick to leave next.

“He’s [Casemiro] their top earner, Rashford number two in terms of their wage structure,” he told GiveMeSport.

“They’d have loved to have got rid of Casemiro, I’m quite sure. Again, you can see how little he’s played over the past seven or eight games. He clearly doesn’t fit into Amorim’s style or plans. Obviously very frustrating for the coach that you have someone sat in the squad who is earning that kind of money and is not able to go and contribute the way that you want.”

Casemiro has featured in just 14 Premier League matches all season but none since the end of December.

Ineos close to completing three-step plan

Due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s need to reduce United’s wage bill and reverse their failed transfer policies, the Red Devils must make some cut-throat decisions.

Letting Rashford leave — an academy graduate — was a tough one to swallow. Allowing Antony to join Real Betis — not so much.

The pair were among United’s highest-paid players, but without the form to back it up, now have no future at Old Trafford. The same can be said for Casemiro.

“I think Casemiro is on borrowed time, if he doesn’t go before this [window’s] deadline, and it’s looking like he won’t now, I am sure he will be gone in the summer,” Wheeler added. (Timestamp: 50m 10s)

“I think the plan is very much to try and get the big earners off the wage bill. Rashford, Antony and Casemiro, who I think now is the big one they’ll try and move on in the summer.”

Villa have the option to buy Rashford for £40 million at the end of the season and Casemiro is an option for Al-Nassr.