Man Utd target second star Jose Mourinho wanted to sign when he was Red Devils boss

Manchester United have seemingly rekindled their interest in another star who was targeted by ex-boss Jose Mourinho, just weeks after they explored a move for Marko Arnautovic

Manchester United are once again interested in a deal for Casemiro (

Image: Tullio Puglia)

Manchester United could make a move for a second player who was previously pursued by Jose Mourinho, with reports claiming that Casemiro has emerged as a surprise midfield target for the Red Devils.

Erik ten Hag has made a nightmare start to life in the Premier League and is desperate for reinforcements with his side currently bottom of the table following their 4-0 drubbing at Brentford on Saturday. To date, the Dutchman has only made three summer signings; Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez.

With just weeks left in the transfer window, the Old Trafford hierarchy are running out of time to get fresh faces through the door – but some of the club’s latest targets could leave some United fans with a major sense of Deja vu.

According to Marca, United are mulling over a fresh move for Real Madrid star Casemiro in a bid to finally solve their midfield woes.

Casemiro is the second Mourinho target that United have rekindled their interest in so far this summer; the former Chelsea and Tottenham chief also had designs on snaring Marko Arnautovic – another recent Ten Hag target – back in 2018 when he was still in the United hot seat.

It’s been apparent for quite some time that the club need to sign a quality defensive midfielder, with Ten Hag quickly identifying Frenkie de Jong as his primary summer transfer target.

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Jose Mourinho wanted to bring Casemiro to Old Trafford back in 2017 (

Image:

PA)

However, progress on a deal for the Dutch playmaker has been painfully slow – and Scott McTominay and Fred’s inadequate performances in the opening weeks of the new campaign could force Ten Hag to finally admit defeat in his bid to land De Jong and instead turn to alternative targets, such as Casemiro.

The Brazilian enforcer has evolved into a key figure at the Bernabeu, and the 30-year-old has helped Los Blancos to five Champions League crowns and three Spanish titles since joining the club from Sao Paulo in 2013.

However, things could have turned out very differently for Casemiro had he been lured to Old Trafford back in 2017 by Mourinho. The Portuguese chief was a keen admirer of the bruising midfielder, but a deal failed to materialise.

While United are yet to table a concrete proposal for Casemiro, they will not be taking their interest in Arnautovic any further after a significant backlash from fans who were less than impressed with links to the controversial former West Ham man, who is currently on the books at Bologna.

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