Manchester United: A “rock” of £34 million might bring Casemiro back
With less than a week left, Manchester United has not strengthened the central defence despite persistent speculations. The Premier League team’s summer transfer activity has been dispersed across the pitch.
David De Gea has been replaced in goal by Andre Onana, Mason Mount has been recruited to the midfield to bring depth and dynamism, and Rasmus Hojlund has been brought in as the new center-forward.
Although Erik ten Hag’s team appears to be concentrating on signing pass master Sofyan Amrabat, a formal offer may be on the way for OGC Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.
What has changed about the potential transfer of Jean-Clair Todibo to Manchester United?
Manchester United: Casemiro might return with a “rock” of £34 million
Despite persistent rumours, Manchester United has not bolstered the central defender with less than a week to go. The summer transfer activity of the Premier League squad has been spread out around the pitch.
Andre Onana has taken over as goalkeeper in place of David De Gea, Mason Mount has been brought in to add depth and dynamism to the midfield, and Rasmus Hojlund has been appointed as the new center-forward
Although Sofyan Amrabat seems to be Erik ten Hag’s team’s main focus, Jean-Clair Todibo of OGC Nice could soon receive a formal offer.
What has changed with Jean-Clair Todibo’s probable transfer to Manchester United?
The famous Brazilian captain, who had won three LaLiga championships and five Champions League trophies while playing in Spain, was acquired from Real Madrid in a £70 million deal last summer.
According to FBref, Casemiro ranked among the top 12% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for shots taken, the top 28% for shot-creating actions, and the top 17% for progressive passes per 90 in the previous season. The Athletic praised Casemiro for his transformative impact on United’s midfield in February, providing an all-encompassing sheen to his defensive efforts.
More importantly, his defence is outstanding; he ranks in the top 1% in clearances and blocks per 90 minutes and the top 4% in tackles and aerials won
The ace, who has been referred to as being on a “different level” by columnist Liam Canning, would benefit from Todibo’s help with the 31-year-old’s game in addition to helping him.
Todibo, described as “solid as a rock” by scout Jacek Kulig, had an astounding average Sofascore rating of 6.94 in Ligue 1 last season, completing 89% of his passes, making 2.2 tackles and 3.1 clearances per game, and finishing 65% of his duel attempts.
The £19k a week colossus also ranks in the top 10% of his peers for tackles per 90 and the top 4% for successful take-ons, demonstrating a level of tenacity that may allow Casemiro’s skills to shine.
Even though it is still early in the season, Casemiro has been dribbled past three times per game in the Premier League thus year.
United may be one step closer to developing the cohesion and toughness necessary for success this season now that Todibo has become an impregnable wall in front of Onana’s goal, and Ten Hag must now organise a transfer.
