When Manchester United's players emerge from the darkness of the Stretford End tunnel a few minutes before 8pm this evening, every United fan inside Old Trafford will be disappointed that Casemiro will not be among them.
United have confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Real Madrid to sign the highly decorated 30-year-old, but it was not done in time for him to be able to make his Reds bow against their fiercest rivals. Instead, should he pass his medical, sort out his UK visa and agree personal terms with minimal fuss, he could make his debut when United travel to Southampton on Saturday.
Casemiro's impending arrival in M16 means that tonight's clash with Liverpool could represent the last dance for Scott McTominay and Fred as a midfield duo. They have been highlighted as the biggest weakness in United's armoury in recent seasons and the addition of Casemiro to Erik ten Hag's squad will significantly strengthen that area of the team.
