Manchester United’s Casemiro has been included in FIFA’s 26-man shortlist for the FIFPRO Men’s World XI.
The Brazilian lifted the Champions League, La Liga, Supercopa de Espana and UEFA Super Cup with Real Madrid in 2022, adding another four trophies to his illustrious honours list and trophy cabinet.
He then made the switch from Madrid to Manchester at the end of the 2021/2022 campaign, opting for a new challenge after nine years with Los Blancos and winning everything on offer to him across the seasons.
Casemiro’s instant impact at Old Trafford
Since being integrated into the United setup, the 30-year-old has been instrumental to the club’s scintillating form and run of results. Casemiro was described by Erik ten Hag as “the cement between the stones”, and he has proven to be exactly that; when he’s not on the pitch, the team looks as if it’s missing something.
The No.18 is playing an invaluable role in Ten Hag’s resurgence.
He has made the midfielder shortlist along with seven other candidates. It is a player-voted squad and the final 11 will be announced on February 27.
David Beckham rejects Man Utd bidders’ approaches, Qatar to submit concrete offer
David Beckham has turned down approaches from various bidders looking into taking over Manchester United, the Telegraph reports. With the “soft” deadline for bids on Friday, interested parties are said to have asked Beckham to endorse and become the face of their bid. However, the former United player and England captain will not attach himself to a bid, with the Telegraph noting: “Even if Qatar, who he works with in an ambassadorial role, emerges as a frontrunner.”
The paper adds: “That has come as a surprise to those involved who had identified Beckham, who remains one of the most recognisable British faces in the world, as a long-term potential asset by bidders.
“The takeover race is likely to pit Sir Jim Ratcliffe against American consortiums and Middle East investors.”
QIA TO SUBMIT CONCRETE MAN UTD BID
Staying with Manchester United, and the takeover process too, as the Telegraph are leading their back page on a concrete Qatari bid for the club ahead of the Friday deadline to register interest.
“A bid from Qatar Investment Authority to buy Manchester United in its entirety will come by the end of the week,” the Telegraph writes.
“It marks a major development in the sale of United which the Glazer family have put on the market for around £5 billion. It is not yet clear how Qatar would square ownership of Paris St-Germain and United with Uefa’s rules banning multi-club ownership should they be successful.
“QIA is a $450 billion sovereign wealth fund that owns – among others – the Shard building in London and the department store Harrods. It acquired PSG through the subsidiary Qatari Sports Investments in 2011 and has made them one of the most powerful clubs in the world.”
SOURCE: strettynews.com, eurosport.co.uk
