Erik ten Hag ‘won’t fight’ Casemiro during his ‘escape route’ this summer

Erik ten Hag would not hold Casemiro back from leaving Manchester United this summer if the midfielder looks to plan his “escape route” from Old Trafford.

This is according to The Express, who has claimed that Erik ten Hag “would not be opposed” to see Casemiro leave Manchester United this summer.

Despite Casemiro playing a role in allowing the flourishing youngster Kobbie Mainoo to develop across 2024 so far, Ten Hag would be happy to see Casemiro exit if Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS can succeed where the Glazers failed in 2022.

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According to the report, Casemiro would be allowed to leave if the club can bring in Frenkie de Jong this summer. De Jong was Ten Hag’s No. 1 target during his first summer as United boss, but the midfielder did not want to swap La Liga for the Premier League.

Barcelona is looking to make cuts this summer in order to save money and reportedly wants to have De Jong take a reduced wage during a new contract extension, but it is said that the 26-year-old is unlikely to accept.

This lines United up for a perfect second shot at the midfielder. In 2022, United agreed a fee of around £80 million with Barcelona for his transfer, but it failed as De Jong refused to go.

This time around, although INEOS have been stern in commanding that ludicrous contracts will no longer be handed out, they will likely be able to offer De Jong more than Barcelona could.

De Jong only has one season left on his contract once the calendar hits July, and with Casemiro currently earning around £350,000 a week at Old Trafford, United will be able to offer some of these wages to the ex-Ajax player.