Manchester United have reportedly reached an “agreement” to send Brazilian midfielder Casemiro out on loan in what is being described as a “very risky business” deal. The former Real Madrid star, who arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 for a hefty fee of £60 million plus £10 million in add-ons, could now be heading for the exit.

Initially brought in as an alternative to Frenkie de Jong, Casemiro was seen as a statement signing for the Red Devils. Despite skepticism surrounding his age and the club’s heavy investment in him, the experienced midfielder silenced his critics with an impressive debut season. However, his performances have dipped significantly since then, raising concerns about his long-term role at United.

Falling Out of Favor and a Potential Exit

Under new head coach Ruben Amorim, Casemiro has slipped down the pecking order, finding himself an unused substitute in nine of United’s last eleven Premier League games. Given his status as one of the club’s highest earners, United are eager to offload the veteran midfielder and free up wage space.

While a move to the Saudi Pro League seemed like a likely destination, nothing materialized before the region’s January transfer window closed. However, with Brazil’s transfer window open until February 28, there’s still time for Casemiro to secure a move back to his homeland.

According to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola, Flamengo have shown interest in the midfielder. “I can assure you that Flamengo investigated the player’s situation in the last few days. The English club agree to loan him and help with part of his salary. [Manager] Filipe Luis would love to count on Casemiro,” Nicola reported. However, he also acknowledged the financial risks involved, noting that even with United covering a large portion of his wages, the deal remains an expensive undertaking for Flamengo.

Amorim’s Bold Risk-Taking Approach

United’s handling of Casemiro’s situation reflects their broader transfer strategy under Amorim, who recently acknowledged the risks he’s taking in reshaping the squad. “We are taking that risk that you talk about because we want a different thing in our team, and we want different profiles,” the Portuguese manager said.

Amorim admitted that making tough decisions mid-season without bringing in reinforcements is a gamble, but he remains committed to his vision. “I know when I choose this profession that you have the risk of the results. I already knew when I came here, I looked at the schedule, I looked at the team, and I understood that my decision of changing everything, taking these hard decisions in the middle of the season without new signings, it’s a danger for the coach. But since day one, with good results or bad results, I have a clear idea of what I want to do and I take these risks because, in the end, I think it’s going to pay off.”

A Necessary Move or a Costly Gamble?

Casemiro’s potential exit raises several questions. Is United right to move on from him so soon? Will Flamengo be able to afford and fully utilize a player of his caliber? Most importantly, will this decision ultimately benefit United as they continue their rebuild under Amorim?

One thing is certain: the club’s transfer dealings continue to be a talking point, and Casemiro’s future will be closely watched in the coming days. Whether this move turns out to be a masterstroke or a costly mistake remains to be seen, but for now, it appears United are taking yet another bold step in reshaping their squad.

Celtic Football Club once again showcased their incredible attacking prowess, leaving Raith Rovers reeling after a resounding 5-0 victory in the Scottish Cup. It was a night to remember for the Hoops and a tough lesson for Barry Robson’s side, who found out the hard way just how ruthless Brendan Rodgers’ men can be.

Celtic’s Firepower Too Much to Handle

From the moment the whistle blew, it was clear that Celtic meant business. Within just six minutes, Daizen Maeda had already found the back of the net, sending a clear message that Raith Rovers were in for a long evening. Robson had explicitly warned his players to “not lose an early goal,” but Celtic had other ideas.

Maeda, who has now bagged three hat-tricks in the past 12 months, was in unstoppable form. His clinical finishing, combined with goals from Luke McCowan and Yang Hyun-jun in the second half, sealed an emphatic win for the Scottish giants.

For Raith Rovers, it was always going to be an uphill battle, but to their credit, they showed resilience. Speaking after the match, Robson admitted that despite the early setback, his team tried to grow into the game. “It rocked us a wee bit, but after that, I thought we settled down and showed good character,” he said. “We had a few chances, a few transitions.”

A Harsh Reality Check for Raith

No one expected an easy ride against Celtic, but Robson acknowledged just how challenging the task was. “They beat a Scottish Premier League team three days ago by 6-0,” he pointed out. “And that’s a team with probably three or four times the budget we’re on.”

The gulf in quality was evident, and the Raith boss was quick to praise his players and the traveling supporters. “They kept fighting, they really did, and a big help with that was the fans. We needed them there today because this Celtic side can beat teams by six, seven, or eight-nil.”

Robson admitted he wished he could have given the fans more to cheer about, but Celtic’s blistering speed and clinical finishing made that a near-impossible task. “I would have loved to have given the fans a wee bit more, but you could see that when we did go out and try to press and went for it, you could see the speed Celtic have going the other way.”

His side did their best to contain the onslaught, but against a team of Celtic’s caliber, there’s only so much you can do. “If we hadn’t lost those goals at crucial times, we might have tried to make it a bit closer,” he reflected. “I just think we deserved a wee bit more.”

‘You Can’t Go Chasing Celtic’

Robson’s game plan was clear contain Celtic and try to keep things tight. But executing that plan against a team bursting with attacking flair is easier said than done. “I think the game plan went fine because you can’t go chasing Celtic,” he admitted. “You can see the speed they’ve got at the top end of the pitch, so you could lose countless amounts of goals.”

Raith Rovers did have moments where they could have kept possession better, but as Robson explained, “It’s difficult when you’re chasing the game.” In truth, Celtic’s relentless pressure and sheer quality made it nearly impossible for Raith to gain any real foothold in the match.

Despite the heavy defeat, Robson remains optimistic about his side’s performances. He knows his team is up against financial and quality limitations, but their fighting spirit was evident. Now, their focus shifts back to the league, where they must bounce back against Partick Thistle.

For Celtic, the journey in the Scottish Cup continues. The draw for the quarter-finals will reveal their next opponent, and if this performance was anything to go by, whoever faces them will need to brace themselves for a battle.

As for Raith Rovers, they leave Glasgow with a valuable learning experience and a clear understanding of just how unforgiving the top teams can be. They might not have won the match, but they certainly earned respect for their effort.

For now, one thing is certain Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic are a force to be reckoned with, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.

Lopez Says ‘No Thanks’ to United’s Big Money Move

Manchester United are no strangers to flexing their financial muscle in the transfer market, but even they might have met their match in Barcelona’s rising star, Fermin Lopez. The Red Devils were reportedly ready to splash out a hefty sum to lure the talented midfielder to Old Trafford, but there’s just one tiny problem Lopez has absolutely no intention of leaving the Camp Nou.

According to reports from Spain, United were keen to add Lopez to their ranks, hoping he would provide a much-needed boost to a midfield that has struggled this season. Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Mason Mount have all failed to truly stamp their authority under new boss Ruben Amorim, leaving United scrambling for reinforcements. But their pursuit of Lopez may already be over before it even began.

Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that the 21-year-old’s ‘outstanding’ performances have drawn attention from several Premier League clubs, including United. Tempting financial offers have been put on the table, but Lopez has remained firm he’s staying in Barcelona. No amount of English charm or Premier League glitz is going to convince him otherwise.

Barcelona’s €500m Insurance Policy

United were reportedly preparing a deal worth around €70 million (£60 million) to bring Lopez to England. Sounds like a fair price for one of Spain’s brightest young talents, right? Wrong. Barcelona clearly saw this coming and preemptively secured Lopez’s loyalty with a jaw-dropping €500 million (£430 million) release clause. That’s right United’s £60 million offer is about as useful as trying to buy a luxury sports car with pocket change.

Adding insult to injury, Lopez reportedly turned down the personal offer outright. Spanish publication Sport claims that from the very beginning, he made it crystal clear to his agents and Barcelona that his heart belongs at Camp Nou. The midfielder is determined to prove himself under Hansi Flick and has no interest in swapping sunny Spain for the cloudy skies of Manchester.

Despite this, United’s interest remains strong. The club still believes Lopez has what it takes to thrive in the Premier League and could revisit their pursuit in the next transfer window. After all, in football, money talks though in this case, Lopez is wearing noise-canceling headphones.

The young Spaniard has been with Barcelona since the tender age of 13, rising through the ranks and making a name for himself with a standout performance against Real Madrid in a pre-season friendly, where he bagged a goal and an assist. Last season, he registered eight goals in 31 La Liga appearances, and despite a slightly slower start this year with two goals in 14 games, his stock continues to rise.

For now, United will have to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements. As for Fermin Lopez, he’s living the dream at Barcelona, and no amount of money at least not £60 million will change that anytime soon.