Ratcliffe discovers Casemiro issue after he's told Man Utd career is "over"

Manchester United are struggling to find suitors for Casemiro as a result of the lucrative contract he was handed last summer.

The former Real Madrid midfielder, 31, became one of Erik ten Hag's first major signings last year in a deal worth £60million and enjoyed a fine maiden campaign in the Premier League. However, his performances have been underwhelming this season and the Brazil international is understood to be available for transfer in the January transfer window.

Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now running sporting operations at Old Trafford after agreeing to acquire a 25 per cent stake in his boyhood club and is expected to implement a recruitment overhaul.

Previous reports have indicated that Ratcliffe - before his agreement with the Glazers - had cited the signing of Casemiro as an example of United's poor recruitment strategy - but offloading him is proving to be easier said than done.

According to a new report from The Sun, United are struggling to find any clubs willing to take Casemiro on as a result of the terms of his contract, which still has two-and-a-half years to run. It's widely reported that the veteran earns around £ 350,000 per week.

Offloading Casemiro would significantly trim the club's current wage bill, however, few clubs would be able to accommodate his current earnings bar some of Europe's elite and ambitious clubs in the Saudi Pro League.

Casemiro has been sidelined since November with a hamstring injury but is closing in on a return to action alongside several other players, including Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire.

It remains to be seen, though, how much longer Casemiro will be at the club amid United's desire to move him on. BeIN Sports presenter Richard Keys even claimed earlier this week that the midfielder's career at the club was "over" after he was asked whether or not Casemiro would have retained his place had he not got injured amid his poor form.

While Manchester United are struggling to offload Casemiro, they have managed to get rid of Donny van de Beek after agreeing on a loan deal with Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.

And Jadon Sancho looks set to follow suit as his former club, Borussia Dortmund, are locked in talks over a deal to take the exiled winger back to Germany for six months.