Manchester United have wasted a shedload of cash over the last couple of years, spending £600m on new additions during the Erik ten Hag era alone.
In the summer of 2023, the hierarchy decided to fork out £60m for the signature of Mason Mount from fellow Premier League side Chelsea as the club looked to bolster the midfield department.
Such a transfer fee undoubtedly generated huge excitement around the move, but ultimately, his first year in the North West was a disaster, constantly being plagued by injuries.
He was restricted to just 14 league appearances, registering a single goal, but the arrival of Ruben Amorim in November handed the former England international a new lease of life.
However, he’s been missing since the Manchester Derby in December, with another player receiving minutes in the first team as a result of his injury layoff.
Casemiro’s stats for Manchester United
United paid a huge £70m for the signature of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro in the summer of 2022, but despite impressing in his debut campaign in the Premier League, he’s massively struggled in recent months.
The 33-year-old has featured 14 times since the manager’s arrival, many of which have been due to injuries suffered by the likes of Mount in recent months.
During his time in Manchester, he’s registered 15 goals, often popping up at crucial times despite his decline – including in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United a couple of years ago.
He has one more year on his current deal at Old Trafford, making him 34 by the time it expires, with the experienced man likely to depart on a free transfer if they’re unable to shift him off the books this summer.
Whilst he provided the fanbase with a reason to be excited given his pedigree, his lack of positive showings has seen his market value tumble – now being valued lower than one player who left the Red Devils for nothing.
The former United player who’s now worth more than Casemiro
Given the high volume of spending over the last few years, the Red Devils were always going to have to offload numerous players to balance the books and prevent any financial implications.
Scott McTominay and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are just two players who have been forced out the door in recent times, allowing the likes of Amorim to splash the cash and strengthen the squad.
Another player who left the club a couple of years ago was academy graduate Angel Gomes, who departed on a free transfer at the end of his contract in 2020 – ending his 14-year affiliation with his boyhood side.
It was a real shame that he decided to move on for pastures new, unable to receive the game time he wanted, despite making his first team debut at the tender age of just 16.
Gomes, who’s previously been dubbed “superb” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would switch England for France, joining Lille, before being sent out on loan to Portuguese outfit Boavista for the 2020/21 season.
Since his temporary spell away from the club, the 24-year-old has been a crucial player for the Ligue 1 outfit, making over 100 appearances – subsequently leading to a maiden England call-up under Lee Carsley earlier this season.
He’s produced countless impressive figures, helping Lille sit in the top five of the French league, whilst also helping them reach the Champions League knockout stages – before eventually being knocked out by Borussia Dortmund.
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Angel Gomes’ stats for Lille in Ligue 1 (2024/25) |
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|---|---|
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Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
14 |
|
Goals & assists |
2 |
|
Pass accuracy |
83% |
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Chances created |
1.7 |
|
Dribble success |
56% |
|
Duels won |
54% |
|
Cross accuracy |
60% |
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Stats via FotMob |
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As a result of his stellar displays over the last couple of years, his market value has soared, now being valued at £21m by Transfermarkt – a figure much higher than that of Casemiro, who’s only valued at £10m just over three years after his big-money move.
Given the rise in Gomes’s price tag since his Old Trafford departure, it’s safe to say the club must wish they did more to keep hold of him and prevent him from leaving for nothing.
The midfield has been a real issue for Amorim since his arrival, as he has struggled to find a consistent partner for Bruno Fernandes – with the Englishman providing just that, had the club offered him a new deal.
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