Xavi faces awkward reunion with Man Utd star if he replaces Erik ten Hag
Xavi is among the managers being tracked by Manchester United with contact reportedly made - but the ex-Barcelona boss has some bad blood with Red Devils star Casemiro
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorXavi would be set for an awkward reunion with Casemiro if he did end up as Manchester United manager.
The ex-Barcelona boss has reportedly been in contact with leading lights at Old Trafford about potentially taking over. Erik ten Hag's continued struggles have left the major decision makers having to consider their options and Xavi is among those on their shortlist.
The player turned manager claimed the La Liga title during his time in charge at the Nou Camp and now finds himself out of work. His long association with Barcelona meant he endured several battles with Real Madrid - and sometimes those battles spilled off the pitch.
Casemiro made the move from Los Blancos to Manchester two summers ago and remains at the club despite a poor second season. Xavi has previously been critical of the Brazilian, claiming his playing style means he could never play the beautiful football they teach in Barcelona.
Years ago he told El Pais: "Madrid break apart, seven players attack and Casemiro stays back on his own to cover the centre. [Barca midfielder Sergio] Busquets cannot do that as even I am faster than he is. Casemiro is super fast, but he has trouble with everything else as he has not worked on it.
"He has other characteristics, is more defensive, makes more tackles, covers more ground, but he does not dominate space-time. If you had started with Casemiro aged 12, 13, 15, then he would have that."
Casemiro though, who has enjoyed a trophy-laden career, was happy to point that he continued to pick up Champions League titles whilst in the Spanish capital. He was part of the famous side that landed three on the bounce and laughed off Xavi's criticism.
He said at the time: "Everyone says what they want, but I've been here four years, and heading into my fourth Champions League final.... I couldn't sign for Barca, as I can't play football the way Xavi wants. I am with Madrid until death."
The Brazilian had to have thick skin once again last season as criticism continued to come his way. He was a standout in his debut campaign but faced a massive drop off and is no longer a guaranteed starter. The emergence of Kobbie Mainoo pushed him down the pecking order and saw him linked with a summer exit.
He remains an option for Ten Hag but has continued to make errors. Jamie Carragher divided opinion when he analysed a Casemiro performance last season and said "the football has left him" as he urged the midfielder to seek pastures new away from the elite level.
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