How will Man Utd line up with De Jong and Casemiro?

Stuart Telford

• 2 Mar 2023 15:27 GMT
• 3 min read

Frenkie de Jong reportedly wants to partner Casemiro in Manchester United's midfield. How would the Red Devils line up if they could finally get their hands on the Barcelona star?

De Jong was Erik ten Hag's top transfer target last summer, but he dug his heels in to stay at Barcelona and the Red Devils moved for Casemiro instead, paying Real Madrid €80 million for the Brazilian's services.

The two midfielders came face-to-face recently as Man Utd knocked Barca out of the Europa League with a 4-3 aggregate win in the knock-out round play-offs, and De Jong appears to have had his head, finally, turned.

READ: Frenkie de Jong wants to partner Casemiro in Man Utd midfield

Man Utd with De Jong and Casemiro?

If he did arrive at Old Trafford, De Jong would slot right in beside Casemiro as part of United's double pivot in front of the back four.

The pair have contrasting styles, De Jong loving nothing better than to beat the press with a shoulder roll before dribbling or passing to break the lines; Casemiro more a destroyer, although one who can pass and now has 10 goal-involvements with United.

That could leave Marcel Sabitzer and Christian Eriksen disappointed, although with both men also able to play at the No.10 position Bruno Fernandes has under lock and key, there is ample room in the squad for them.

Sabitzer has been a good fit since his loan arrival from Bayern Munich, and all signs point towards a summer deal to make his move permanent.

READ: 'Kane or nothing' - Man Utd target Osimhen not wanted by rivals

United are understood to be interested in acquiring a No.9 as well as De Jong, meanwhile. Cristiano Ronaldo is long gone, Wout Weghorst is only a temporary solution and top scorer Marcus Rashford prefers playing out wide.

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Victor Osimhen and Harry Kane would appear to be United's first choices in the position, but until one of them arrives, Rashford might have to settle for leading the line once again.

That would at least free up space for Alejandro Garnacho, the young Spanish-Argentine who appears to be growing stronger by the week.

At the back, David de Gea has played himself back into Ten Hag's long-term thinking with his exemplary shot-stopping, with rumours of moves for Diogo Costa and others beginning to settle down of late.

Club captain Harry Maguire can no longer get a look in, however, and the England centre-back is likely to be sold while he pursues regular first-team football.