Former striker Dimitar Berbatov believes Casemiro's importance at Manchester United could put West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice off sealing a move to Old Trafford amid ongoing speculation about his future.
United, who are currently third in the Premier League table, five points shy of the summit, are understood to be already planning to recruit a younger central-midfielder ahead of next season. United strengthened their midfield options with the additions of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro last summer and drafted Marcel Sabitzer in on loan last month as emergency cover.
The Reds, though, are planning to bring in a younger and more dynamic midfielder in the summer and still hold an interest in Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund sensation Jude Bellingham. They are also occasionally being linked with Hammers ace Rice, who is widely expected to leave the London Stadium later this year.
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Rice, who has established himself as one of the best defensive-midfielders in the Premier League in recent seasons, has a high ceiling and is regularly linked with members of the division's traditional 'big six'. United are often among those most frequently linked with signing the England international but Berbatov, who played for the Reds between 2008 and 2012, believes Rice could struggle to earn the amount of minutes he would expect because of Casemiro operating in a similar role.
"It all comes down to what the manager wants and how he sees the team in his head," Berbatov told Betfred. "Declan and Casemiro play in the same position, but the main difference between them is that one of them is 24-years-old and the other is 30-years-old.
"One is slowly going towards the end of their career and the other is not even in their prime yet and is producing football of great quality. Of course clubs are going to be after Declan Rice and the main thing that Declan will want from a new club is the promise that he's going to play.
"If he went to Manchester United then he's going to want to play, demand to play and he's not going to want to sit on the bench. He won't go to Manchester United if he believes there's a chance that he may be a back-up to Casemiro."
United were desperate to strengthen their midfield options with De Jong last summer, but were forced into swooping for Casemiro after their long-term pursuit of the Netherlands failed. The Brazilian has been a revelation since arriving in M16, complementing Bruno Fernandes and Eriksen in United's first choice midfield superbly.
Therefore, if United did choose to sign Rice, Berbatov believes manager Erik ten Hag would have to sacrifice another midfielder to get the 24-year-old in his starting line-up.
Berbatov added: "It would be strange if Manchester United buy Declan Rice considering that they've just bought Casemiro from Real Madrid. The only option you'd have would be to play them at the same time, but if you did that then you'd have to sacrifice another midfielder that plays a more advanced role up the pitch."
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