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10th September 2024
02:26pm BST
Manchester United players have reportedly offered a bizarre theory on the reason for Casemiro's decline as a player.
Teammates believe that the decline has come as a result of the team's own struggles.
According to Manchester Evening News, dressing room sources state that Casemiro "didn't sign up" for a second season to just attempt to qualify for the Champions League, which was beyond United's capabilities last season.
Five-times Champions League victorious with Real Madrid, the Brazilian has a reputation as a born winner.
However, he has started the season below expectations and subsequently was replaced by Premier League debutant Toby Collyer at half-time during United's 3-0 defeat to Arne Slot's Liverpool.
New signing Manuel Ugarte is expected to replace Casemiro in the centre of the park, it has also been reported.
Casemiro is under contract until 2026 currently, but the club were prepared to sell him in the summer.
Links to Turkey were shown to be wide of the mark and early interest from the Saudi Pro League never materialised into a formal offer for his services.
Erik ten Hag publicly defended his player recently:
"I'm sure he is a great character and he won everything in his career what you can imagine," Ten Hag said of Casemiro. "I am sure he will keep contributing to our team and Casemiro is always winning so he will be there."
