If Casemiro is staying he must restore his reputation

PRE-SEASON often acts as an opportunity for players to prove their worth - a fact that won't be lost on certain members of the United squad.

- TOM CAVILLA

After slumping to an eighth-placed Premier League finish last season, Erik ten Hag will likely have been pondering just how many of his current crop possess the ability to get United back competing for the biggest prizes.

The clearout of first-team players has already begun, with the likes of Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek and Mason Greenwood all moving on, and further departures are likely between now and the end of the month.

One individual who many claimed to be at the end of his Red Devils career is Casemiro, whose form dipped to alarmingly low levels at the end of last term.

Operating as an emergency central defender for a handful of matches, the Brazilian's lack of brutally pace became exposed and made for painful viewing after his impressive debut campaign at the club.