Casemiro ‘will cost Man United MORE than £105m Declan Rice and £115m Moises Caicedo’, says Jamie Carragher, calling him a poor-value ‘panic buy’… and adding they need another £100m midfielder

Jamie Carragher believes Manchester United will regret not recruiting a more long-term solution at defensive midfield. 

One of the dominant stories of this summer’s transfer window has been the astronomical prices quoted for a specialist No 6. 

United could have been seen to be ahead of the curve initially with their acquisition of Real Madrid legend Casemiro for an initial £60m fee last summer.

However, Carragher reckons Erik ten Hag’s hasty purchase of the veteran following an unsuccessful attempt to nab Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, could now hurt the side in a world where newer, fresher models are demanding exorbitant fees. 

‘Caicedo and Rice are examples of thinking ahead,’ the 45-year-old wrote in The Telegraph. ‘Going big now to save cash for the next six or seven years in which they will assume their role. 

Moises Caicedo joined Chelsea for an initial £100m fee that could rise to a British transfer record, while Arsenal smashed their record deal with the £105m purchase of Declan Rice

Erik ten Hag has been trying to recruit another midfielder to reduce the Brazilian’s workload

‘I never believed Casemiro would be value for money. Not because there is any doubt that he has been a world-class player.

‘But because he is at a stage of his career when he cannot not fully repay United’s massive fee. 

‘He was a panic buy when he joined a year ago,’ he continued. ‘An ageing, stellar name signed for big money and on a massive salary to appease increasingly disgruntled fans, despite the fact he will need replacing with a similarly massive outlay two years on.’

United have been keen to finding the Brazilian international some help in the centre of the park, with reports of interest in Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat. However, they face a stern challenge for the 26-year-old’s signature from bitter rivals Liverpool. 

Meanwhile, the Red Devils have been planning for the future in some regards to the middle of the park with their two recent academy arrivals.

United completed a family reunion by signing the sons of technical director Darren Fletcher from Manchester City, according to the Sun.

Fletcher’s 16-year-old twins Jack and Tyler are rated among the brightest young talents in England, and were first linked with a record-breaking move across Manchester in July.

Both teenagers play in their dad’s former position of central midfield, however, while Tyler represents Scotland internationally as Darren did, Jack turns out for England. 

The twins will join up with United’s academy set up as they look to follow in the footsteps of Fletcher snr.