Tuchel plots Man Utd downfall as Bayern prepare crippling Man Utd raid for Ten Hag’s most important player
Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag reacts during game
Thomas Tuchel wants a critical player Man Utd simply must not sell to form a devastating new partnership at Bayern Munich, with reports in Germany claiming a raid is coming.
The Red Devils have taken giant strides forward since Erik ten Hag took charge. A firmer approach to player discipline has been taken, with Ten Hag previously lauded by club legend Paul Scholes for the manner in which he dealt with a bout of lateness from Marcus Rashford.
Elsewhere, Ten Hag has urged United to adopt a more ruthless outlook on player contracts. The Dutchman is understood to believe fading players have found it all too easy to earn extensions at Old Trafford under former managers.
Results and United’s style of play on the pitch have also turned around. The Red Devils are on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League and ended their six-year wait for major silverware when lifting the League Cup in February.
If Man City can be bested in the final on June 3, the FA Cup could be added to the trophy haul too.
Ten Hag has had a transformative effect on Man Utd, while on the pitch, the same can be said of summer recruit, Casemiro.
Eyebrows were raised when Man Utd forked out £70m (including add-ons) to sign a player already the wrong side of 30.
Both Frenkie de Jong and Adrien Rabiot were targeted before United settled on the combative Brazilian. Given how important Casemiro has become to Man Utd, they may be glad they were made to settle for third prize.
However, according to German publication Kicker, Casemiro could soon have an offer to leave Man Utd.
Bayern Munich salivating over Casemiro-Kimmich tandem
They state Bayern Munich are mulling what would unquestionably be a crippling raid for Man Utd ace Casemiro. Bayern’s interest is being driven by new manager Thomas Tuchel who is a huge admirer of the holding midfielder.
Tuchel reportedly views Casemiro as the perfect foil for Joshua Kimmich in the double pivot in Munich. That would see Leon Goretzka drop to the bench, though Casemiro would obviously not be bought to sit on the sidelines.
The Daily Mail piggyback on Kicker’s report, noting Casemiro is considered among United’s most important playing assets.
Others who could stake a claim to that label include Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford. However, United had Fernandes and Rashford on the books between 2020-23 and it wasn’t until Casemiro arrived before a major trophy was finally lifted.
Casemiro helps free up Christian Eriksen to dictate the pace and pull the strings in midfield. He also gives more freedom to Fernandes in the No 10 role and a potential exit is not something Man Utd or Ten Hag will wish to consider.
As an interesting sidenote, Tuchel’s preference for a high profile midfield addition would add further weight to the possibility United will sign loanee Marcel Sabitzer outright.
The Austrian’s loan deal does not contain an option to buy, though many believe he’s shown enough to warrant a permanent move to Old Trafford.
If Tuchel gets his hands on a new recruit in central midfield, he’ll have Kimmich, Goretzka, the new signing, Konrad Laimer (joining from RB Leipzig) and Ryan Gravenberch.
Sabitzer would be thrust further down the pecking order and a move to Man Utd would become all the easier to make.
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