Man Utd told to keep 'good character' Casemiro despite Saudi interest and eye-watering £340k-a-week wages as ex-Red Devils star claims struggling Brazilian can still be 'valuable'

Casemiro was one of United's best performers in Erik ten Hag's first season but his form nosedived in his second campaign. He was so poor that in May Jamie Carragher urged him to quit football at the highest level. Former United defender Mikael Silvestre, however, has urged the club to give him another chance.

"I think he still has the energy and enough in the tank to respond to that and show that he is still a valuable player for the team," Silvestre said in conversation with TG Casino. "Not maybe every single game because it's quite intense but in the biggest fixtures, most of the time he was performing to the level he’s expected to. I wouldn’t rush to any conclusions for Casemiro, he seems like a good character to have in the dressing room. If the team wants to get back to winning ways, they need these types of players around."

Casemiro was dropped from Brazil's squad for the Copa America, meaning he enjoyed a rare break over the summer. However, the extended rest has not led to an improvement in performances and he has struggled to impose himself on games during United's pre-season. He has two years left on his contract and is United's second-highest earner, on a reported £340,000 per week ($431k). The Saudi Pro League has been touted as a potential destination for him, but Silvestre believes United should keep him in the team.

"Not unless the club has recruited and has someone coming in through the pipeline. It’s important for the manager to have the right amount of players in training and the right amount of players in the defensive midfield area," Silvestre said. "Of course you have Kobbie Mainoo but besides him, you can’t identify another top number six in the squad. There's still another three weeks until the window shuts. I wouldn't be shocked if Casemiro was playing for another season, it's not like United are challenging for the title so I think if you consider this period as a transition, he could still be a good leader in that squad."

United have reportedly withdrawn their interest in signing Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain and have set their sights on other defensive midfield targets such as Monaco's Youssouf Fofana.

United had a hugely disappointing pre-season campaign but have the chance to win a third trophy under Ten Hag when they take on rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday. They begin their Premier League campaign on August 16 against Fulham.