Manchester United are being hamstrung in the transfer market by £70m mistake they can't correct
Gigi Becali, the charismatic and controversial owner of FCSB, was furious last week at what he perceived to be cowardly tactics from his coach when facing Manchester United in the Europa League. Becali wound down his window on his way out of the National Arena car park to vent to the media, criticising Ilias Charalampous's decision to play such a negative team.
Perhaps the final straw for Becali was the sight of Casemiro coming on with 18 minutes to go. It was the ultimate symbol that United were finding it all very routine in Bucharest and that a game they were dominating was done.
Bringing a five-time Champions League winner on would normally signal that United are finding it difficult, but this is a very different Casemiro from the one who enjoyed so much success for Real Madrid. His outing against FCSB are the only minutes he has had in 2025, and as United went back to the toil against Crystal Palace on Sunday, the Brazilian returned to the familiar role of unused substitute.
That has been the case in seven of the previous eight games since a nightmare 64 minutes against Newcastle appears to have ended his career at Old Trafford and maybe at the elite end of European football. Things have got so bad for Casemiro that even the Saudi Pro League are turning away from him.
This is for a player who is still only 32 and has one of the most impressive CVs in the European games. In his first season at United, his impact was substantial, bringing much-needed presence to the base of midfield and leadership to the dressing room. Then, it all started to go wrong.
Casemiro's decline last season was rapid, and after a brief hint at a return to form earlier this season, he has now been cast aside. He is on the bench to make up the