‘Missed a trick’ – Man Utd warned they will ‘regret’ transfer decision with £60m star

Gareth Barry thinks Manchester United will come to regret their decision to let Casemiro leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Brazil international announced earlier this season that he will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of the current campaign.

Signed from Real Madrid for £60million in 2023, Casemiro’s form has fluctuated throughout his time in Manchester, but the 34-year-old has been one of the club’s most consistent performers this season.

His current deal does have the option to extend by a further 12 months, but there appear to be no plans for the club to U-turn on their previous decision.

And former Premier League winner Barry believes that could be a mistake from the Red Devils, insisting that replacing Casemiro’s ability in both boxes will prove a difficult task.

‘I think they might grow to regret that,’ Barry told Metro via BetMGM. ‘Speaking from experience, I think as you get older and you get more mature, football does become easier. 

‘I get why Casemiro is going to lose certain strengths and certain abilities he used to have. But I think his numbers, like defending in both boxes, the goals he gets, there aren’t many midfielders can do that.

‘So I think even giving him a one-year extension or something like that, they’ve probably missed the trick. 

‘Whether that could happen, I don’t know. But, certainly, seeing him play recently, he’s still got the ability to affect games. So, he’s going to be tough to replace.’

United had reportedly earmarked Elliot Anderson as a potential replacement for Casemiro, but it is said that rivals Manchester City are in pole position to sign the Nottingham Forest midfielder.

Anderson could be tasked with filling the boots of Rodri as speculation swirls over his long-term future at City, but Barry can understand why his former club believe that the Englishman could prove a suitable replacement for the Ballon d’Or winner.

‘If Rodri is looking to get out, I think it’s going to be a real, real tough one to replace. He has been the best holding midfielder in the world for a long time.

‘But I get it with Elliot Anderson and the links with City. His strengths for me are off the ball. There aren’t many better sorts of players off the ball than Elliot Anderson.

‘So, I get why they’ll be looking at him and if that’s the sort of deal they’re looking at and Rodri is going to go, I can see why they want to get that done as quickly as possible. 

‘He’s had another great season, consistently performing well, and he’s been brilliant for England too. Tough to replace Rodri, but Elliot Anderson, why can’t he grow into those shoes?’

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