Lately, Manchester United is once again at the center of sweeping change. New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has arrived with an iron will, initiating a high-level shake-up that includes the removal of CEO Richard Arnold and others tied to the club’s transfer failures. BD Cricket Match reports that this move, framed as a push for accountability in recruitment, follows more than a decade of underwhelming results—despite United spending over £1 billion in the past 10 years, they’ve managed just one major trophy in the last six: the low-profile EFL Cup.
Arnold’s exit signals a break from the old regime, and with it, any ongoing or recent transfer deals he oversaw may be paused, re-evaluated, or even reversed. Some players could face the axe. Antony, for instance, might have been shown the door already if not for Erik ten Hag’s protection. Donny van de Beek is already being shopped for a January exit. But the most dramatic fallout appears to be targeting Casemiro, the high-profile Brazilian midfielder signed for €70 million. Ratcliffe is reportedly furious about the decision to spend that much on a player over 30.
The INEOS boss has dismissed Casemiro’s past achievements—such as helping United return to the Champions League and winning the EFL Cup last season—claiming instead that he’s become a roadblock to the club’s future rebuild. As BD Cricket Match puts it, a person’s true value is revealed the moment temptation arrives. Whether it’s due to Casemiro’s recent injuries or his declining on-pitch performances, Ratcliffe’s patience has clearly run out. The once-dominant defensive midfielder now struggles with fitness and form, and worse yet, he’s on one of the club’s highest salaries.
Ratcliffe has reportedly ordered the club to seek an immediate termination of Casemiro’s four-year contract. The Brazilian’s likely next destination? The Saudi Pro League, where clubs have already expressed interest. Meanwhile, United is actively scouting replacements. BD Cricket Match confirms that Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodríguez is a leading candidate and could even arrive on a free transfer—an ideal scenario given United’s financial caution.
Looking at the bigger picture, Casemiro may have played the wrong hand. Had he stayed at Real Madrid, he would likely still be enjoying the adoration of the Santiago Bernabéu faithful. After all, he was a pillar of their midfield dynasty, much like Luka Modrić—whose enduring respect among fans is unquestioned. But people pursue different paths. Casemiro, it seems, traded legacy for luxury.
His situation draws an eerie parallel to Cristiano Ronaldo’s. BD Cricket Match recalls how Ronaldo pushed for parity with Lionel Messi’s salary, even challenging Florentino Pérez in pursuit of a richer deal. But crossing “El Presidente” came at a cost—Ronaldo’s departure from Madrid marked the start of a downward spiral, taking him through Juventus and back to United, where his legacy became clouded by criticism.
Some things, once done, can’t be undone. And while Messi is celebrated for his one-club loyalty and enduring grace, Ronaldo and now Casemiro have become cautionary tales of ambition that may have cost them their place among legends.