He said: “The prices for [Enzo] Fernandez, Rice and Caicedo are astronomical. They are also good deals. The proof of that is the £70million Manchester United paid last summer for Casemiro. The Brazilian will end up costing United more than Arsenal and Chelsea paid for Rice and Caicedo. Caicedo and Rice are examples of thinking ahead – going big now to save cash for the next six or seven years in which they will assume their role.

“I never believed Casemiro would be value for money. Not because there is any doubt that he has been a world-class player. But because he is at a stage of his career when he cannot not fully repay United’s massive fee.”“He was a panic buy when he joined a year ago, bought in the immediate aftermath of the failed pursuit of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona; an ageing, stellar name signed for big money and on a massive salary to appease increasingly disgruntled fans, despite the fact he will need replacing with a similarly massive outlay two years on.”