’s hopes of unveiling ahead of Monday night’s clash with Liverpool have been dealt a blow over a problem with the midfielder’s visa, according to reports.
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On Friday night, the Red Devils announced they had reached an agreement with over the transfer of the Brazil international, with the deal expected to cost £59.5million.
However, a statement confirmed that the transfer was ‘subject to the agreement of personal terms, UK visa requirements and a medical.’
United had hoped to get all those done in time for Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford on Monday, with the expectation that Casemiro would be paraded in front of the home crowd shortly before kick-off.
They did the same thing with Raphael Varane last summer before August’s clash with Leeds, with the Frenchman walking out to the centre circle to pose for photos and receiving a rapturous applause.
Speaking at the time, BT Sport pundit Joe Cole said of the reception for Varane: ‘Unbelievable. This is very smart from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
‘When you want to get the crowd going, unveil a big star like Raphael Varane. You do it right now, these fans are off their seat. It’s going to be electric.’
United gave one of their best performances of the season, hammering Leeds 5-1, and Erik ten Hag would have been hoping the unveiling of Casemiro would have a similar effect against Liverpool.
However, are reporting that the 30-year-old midfielder will not arrive in the UK in time to be in the stands for Monday’s clash against the Merseysiders – who he beat in last season’s Champions League final.
Casemiro has encountered some issues with his visa so the deal will not be rubberstamped for several more days yet, so he will have to watch the match from his home in Spain.
United legend Wayne Rooney, meanwhile, believes his old club have landed a fine player in Casemiro but has questioned the age profile of the Brazilian and his suitability to Ten Hag’s style.
‘Casemiro, United’s new signing, will not be eligible to face Liverpool, which is a pity because he will undoubtedly improve United. He’s a good player. I’ve played against him and he’ll bring a bit of character, a bit of work rate, but is he exactly what United need? I’m not sure,’ he wrote in .
‘This goes back to the need to look to the future. Ideally, they should be signing players in their early to mid-twenties, and Casemiro is similar to Christian Eriksen — someone who has been a good player, but are they going to help the club move forward? Frenkie de Jong, Ten Hag’s principal midfield target, would be a better fit.
‘The Casemiro deal seems to have come from nowhere, and looks a reactive signing — I’d be surprised if he was a player identified as a priority to bring in when Ten Hag arrived. It looks like, having been unable to sign De Jong, United just reacted to Casemiro being available.’
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