Can Casemiro play against Liverpool? Man Utd’s new signing’s visa issues explained ahead of Premier League clash

Manchester United continue their hunt for a first win of the season with a clash against bitter rivals Liverpool on Monday evening.

The Red Devils currently sit one place off the foot of the Premier League table having lost their first two matches of the new campaign.

In an effort to arrest their current slump, the club announced on Friday that they have agreed a deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.

But will the South American be available to feature against Jurgen Klopp’s visitors?

Here’s everything you need to know...

Will Casemiro be available to face Liverpool on Monday night?

Casemiro will not be making his debut at Old Trafford on Monday evening.

Premier League rules state that clubs have until noon on the previous working day to register new signings if they want to field them in an upcoming match. Seeing as United missed that deadline on Friday, Casemiro will not feature.

The other issue the Brazilian is currently having relates to his visa.

According to a report from The Athletic, the process to secure the relevant paperwork that the 30-year-old requires “takes time to complete”.

What has Casemiro said on the matter?

Speaking at a press conference to bid farewell to Real Madrid, Casemiro express his excitement at joining United, and his disappointment at not being involved against Liverpool on Monday evening.

He said: “The Premier League is a competition I’ve always liked and always wanted to play in. What I’m looking for is to have a new challenge, a new league and a new culture.

“It’s true that they’re not in the Champions League right now, but I’m excited.

“I haven’t spoken with Cristiano Ronaldo yet, but I’m excited to play with him again. I’m so keen to get started, with the biggest club in England.

“If it was up to me, I’d play for them already tonight against Liverpool. But, I know I haven’t won anything there yet.”

How will Casemiro fare at United?

Reaction to Casemiro’s anticipated arrival at Old Trafford has been met with mixed reception.

Pundit Tony Cascarino, for instance, expressed his doubts about the Brazilian’s mobility in the centre of midfield.

He said: “He [Casemiro] has won a hell of a lot in his career and he’s achieved a lot at Real Madrid. I’ve got this sneaky feeling that this could be one of them…

“He reminds me a bit like Schweinsteiger. When Schweinsteiger was at Bayern and he was a terrific player, he came to Man Utd and his legs weren’t quite the same.

“And maybe that’s a bit unfair on Casemiro. But he needed legs in the team for him to shine and he never really got going.

“I would think he’ll come to Man Utd, he’ll see what’s happening and quite quickly realise it’s a million miles away from Real Madrid. About the players, the quality of the play.

“And that’s sort of how I see Casemiro coming to United. I don’t think he’s a player that’s going to suddenly hit the ground running, make a huge amount of difference.

“The problem is, they’ve got a lot of players that don’t want to run. His job’s going to become even harder. You might see him getting bypassed; Schweinsteiger got bypassed a lot at Man Utd – and that team ran a lot more than this team does.”

By contrast, ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand has argued that the 30-year-old represents exactly the kind of character that his old club should be looking to sign.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former England international said: “Wow, listen man... That’s the type of player Man United need, the type of character Man United need more than anything. He’s the type of person, individual.”

He added: “When the big games come along, this guy performs. He knows what he’s doing, he’s there.

“There’s no thrills with him. He isn’t a stepover merchant, he isn’t a skills man, he isn’t someone who wants to get the fans off their seats with a bit of skill. He’s there to do a job that means that the team are better off, they run more efficiently, they’re going to have a chance of winning because he’s in the team.

“He’s first and foremost a team football player, which I love about him. If there’s a battle, he’s a man you want on your side.”