Xavi might have a rough time getting back together with one Manchester United star if he becomes manager at Old Trafford because of some mean things he said about the player years ago. 

Mail Sport reported that the middlemen have talked to the former Barcelona player and boss twice in the past few months.

Even though Erik ten Hag’s job is always being questioned, he led United to a much-needed 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday. 

Xavi led Barcelona to the LaLiga title in 2022–2023, but that won’t make Casemiro feel better because the Spanish player criticized him in 2018. 

Madrid splits up, seven players charge, and Casemiro stays back to protect the middle. [Sergio, a midfielder for Barcelona] I’m faster than Busquets, so he can’t do that. Xavi told El Pais, “Casemiro is very fast, but he has trouble with everything else because he hasn’t worked on it.” 

“He has other traits; he is more defensive, makes more tackles, and covers more ground, but he doesn’t control space times.” 

“He would have that if you had started with Casemiro when he was 12, 13, or 15 years old.”

The idea that the Brazilian had “trouble” with all of his skills except speed worries me, since he is 32 years old and not as fast as he used to be.

After all, Xavi has won the Champions League five times, so he knows how good Casemiro is. But he also said, “He’s a good player for Real Madrid; I think he has Madrid’s DNA,” meaning that Casemiro is not a good fit for Barcelona. 

If Xavi tried to use the style he used at Barcelona at United, Casemiro might not be in his plans.

Casemiro replied, “Everyone can say what they want, but I’ve been here for four years and am about to play in my fourth Champions League final.” I couldn’t join Barcelona because Xavi wants me to play a different style of football. I will always be with Madrid.

“Like Xavi said, I don’t understand football, so I can’t play for.” I don’t have any Barcelona games.

Last Thursday, a group of four people led by CEO Omar Berrada went to Barcelona. This spread rumors that Xavi might be a candidate for the United job. 

But United sources say that there have been a lot of important meetings in Barcelona lately because co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been there to back the Ineos Britannia sailing team as they compete with New Zealand for the America’s Cup.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who works with Ten Hag, would be a good short-term replacement. Xavi has also made it clear that he doesn’t want to teach in Spain again. 

United sources say that Ten Hag will still be their manager and that the club has no plans to hire someone else as he gets ready to play Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday.

United wouldn’t say anything on Tuesday because they don’t want to be involved in rumors about the manager’s future.

The Dutch manager has had a rough start to the season. He kept his job during a summit meeting with Ineos executives in Ibiza in the summer, even though United’s minority owners talked to a number of possible replacements around the FA Cup final.

Thomas Tuchel signed a deal to be the next England manager on October 8, two days before Gareth Southgate said he wouldn’t be back in charge for another year. If United fired Ten Hag now, the field would be even smaller.

Along with Xavi, Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim and former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic could also be in the running. However, Amorim is generally thought to be the best candidate to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.