Three reasons why Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants Casemiro transfer this summer

Manchester United approached Real Madrid about the possibility of signing Casemiro this week. The club's recruitment strategy has been lamentable this summer, but there's no denying that Casemiro would be an outstanding signing, albeit a desperate signing.

There has been no consistency with the recruitment in this window. United have scrambled around the market and they have spent more money on John Murtough's travel expenses than they have on midfielders. Christian Eriksen, who has been the only midfield addition, cost nothing. The interest in Casemiro has seemingly emerged from nowhere and that has been a feature of the summer.

Although the circumstances that led the club to approach Real Madrid about Casemiro - making no progress with Frenkie de Jong and failing to agree terms with Adrien Rabiot - have been amateur, he would represent the most important signing of the summer at Old Trafford, which is ironic considering the Reds' interest in the player has been a consequence of the club's failures elsewhere.

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Casemiro has been world-class in defensive midfielder during his nine years spent with Real Madrid. Casemiro has won five Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles among other domestic major honours, and he has been instrumental in that success.

Madrid defeated Liverpool in the Champions League final in May and Casemiro proved with that performance that he remains an outstanding, specialist operator in defensive midfield. The 30-year-old looks set to have many years remaining at the elite level.

So, why would he want to leave Madrid? United have suffered two humiliating defeats against Brighton and Brentford