Rúben Amorim has a “big problem” with one of his Manchester United players following their 4-0 pre-season win over Bournemouth.
Manchester United delivered an emphatic 4-1 win over Bournemouth in their third pre-season match of the 2025 tour, with Rúben Amorim’s side putting on an impressive display in Chicago.
United came flying out of the blocks, and it took just 10 minutes to break the deadlock as Rasmus Højlund nodded in a delicate header from a well-placed Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu cross.
The Reds remained in control throughout the first half and doubled their lead on 25 minutes, with Dorgu once again involved as he registered his second goal contribution of the evening.
After the break, United picked up where they left off. Amad reacted quickly to a loose ball in the box and rifled home a sharp finish to make it three, following a spell of slick attacking play.
Amorim rang the changes with 20 minutes to go, and Academy prospect Ethan Williams wasted no time in making an impact—slotting in the fourth after a bursting run from new signing Diego Leon. A late own goal by Matthijs de Ligt offered Bournemouth a consolation, but it did little to take the shine off a commanding United performance.
Casemiro’s “big problem” at United is evident
The 2025/26 campaign will be Casemiro’s fourth and likely final season at Old Trafford, and it has become a recurring theme that the Brazilian often starts slowly before improving as the season progresses.
After initially not playing under Amorim, the 33-year-old fought his way into the starting XI toward the back end of last campaign, producing some fantastic displays during United’s road to the Europa League final.
However, with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo both playing well so far during the club’s pre-season tour and Amorim wanting a new midfielder, Casemiro’s slow starts look likely to cause him a “big problem” ahead of next season.
If he falls to fourth or fifth choice in the pecking order to play alongside Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park, Casemiro will not be able to build the minutes he needs to improve.
Taking into account what he showed against Bournemouth compared to Ugarte and Mainoo’s displays against West Ham, Amorim should not be considering Casemiro as a starter against Arsenal.
Casemiro’s pending exit will be a milestone for United
While the Brazilian was fantastic in his first season at the club and pivotal to former manager Erik ten Hag’s success in winning his two trophies at Old Trafford, the club will view his pending exit as a positive.
Casemiro looks almost certain to see out the remaining season of his four-year deal at United, and is one of three remaining players who continue to earn upward of £300,000 a week at the club, alongside Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho.
United’s new contract policy is to offer new signings incentive-based contracts that increase in value, depending on individual and team-based performances.
With Sanchos set to leave this summer and Casemiro in 11 months’ time, United will only have their club captain on over £300,000 a week, firmly cementing a new wage cap at the club, which would be a new milestone.
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