Erik ten Hag could be about to reveal Manchester United's summer transfer plans

After it was confirmed that Casemiro had pulled out of the Brazil squad on the eve of Manchester United's 4-3 win over Liverpool, Erik ten Hag was left with an obvious decision to make.

Despite the former Real Madrid man's struggles this season, he remains an imposing figure in United's midfield. He is their destroyer-in-chief and has done far more good than bad since swapping the Spanish capital for Old Trafford in August 2022.

He quickly established himself as a fans' favourite in his debut season in England, producing a series of outstanding performances. He filled a gaping hole in United's midfield that had been vacant for years, providing them with some much-needed defensive nous.

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Such was Casemiro's importance in the defensive-midfield berth, United often struggled without him last term, lacking a like-for-like replacement within the squad. It was, therefore, no surprise when Ten Hag made it his mission to add another defensive midfielder to the ranks last summer, swooping for Sofyan Amrabat.

Less than 12 months after playing a starring role in Morocco's shock run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Amrabat arrived at Old Trafford on loan from Fiorentina, with the deal featuring an option for United to sign him permanently this summer. With a maximum of 12 games remaining in United's season, that option is highly unlikely to be triggered.

He was left out of the starting XI in Casemiro's absence against Liverpool, perhaps planting the final nail in the coffin of what is set to be a very short United career. Ten Hag chose Scott McTominay to join forces with