EXPENSIVE 'PLASTER' TO MAKE WAY FOR FUTURE

CASEMIRO was never going to prove a bargain for United.

- By JEREMY CROSS

Casemiro heads United in front in the 3-2 win over Fulham

And it’s the precise reason co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has decided to let the Brazilian superstar leave Old Trafford in June.

When Ratcliffe and his INEOS group purchased a stake in United, one of the first things he did was order an interval review of the squad, including each player’s contract - and what jumped out at Ratcliffe was the fact Casemiro was earning close to £400,000-a-week.

Ratcliffe knew Casemiro was a world class footballer. What he couldn’t get his head around was why United had chosen to invest £70m plus wages in someone who was 30, and had fitness issues in Madrid. His contract would take him to the age of 34, with United having the option to extend it by a further 12 months.