Casemiro’s resurgence has given Man Utd a problem they did not think they would have | OneFootball

Few would have expected 34-year-old Casemiro to have the defining impact that he has had this season for Manchester United.

The experienced midfielder, who has already confirmed that he will leave United at the end of the season, scored his ninth goal of the season in the 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday.

It was not too long ago that Casemiro’s long run at the elite level of football looked over. He struggled last season, and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher’s savage criticism of the Brazilian in May of 2024 hung over the midfielder like a dark cloud.

“I think Casemiro should know tonight that he should only have another three games left at the top level,” he said back then.

“The next two league games and the cup final, then he should be thinking, I need to go to the MLS or Saudi.

“This has to stop because we are watching one of the greats of modern times. I always remember the saying ‘leave the football before the football leaves you’. The football has left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move.”

But his unexpected turnaround has propelled United to the verge of securing a return to Champions League football. So how has he done it?

Casemiro’s resurgence

It is not just his goals where Casemiro has contributed to United’s drastic improvement this season. The midfielder looks to have rediscovered the energy and tenacity which made him one of the world’s most dominant defensive midfielders at Real Madrid.

There is no doubt that he, like the rest of United’s squad, have benefitted from regularly playing one game a week. Their failure to qualify for Europe and poor performance in the cup competitions has had a positive impact on their Premier League form.

The appointment of Michael Carrick, and the freedom he has afforded his players compared to the rigidity of former boss Ruben Amorim has also breathed a new lease of life into a career that was rapidly dwindling.

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He has been trusted to anchor the midfield, and has been surrounded by players with pace and energy which have allowed him to do his job more effectively.

Remarkably, eight of Casemiro’s nine goals this season have come from set pieces. Only Arsenal have scored more than United’s 17 goals from set pieces this season and eight of Casemiro’s nine goals have been headers – double the amount of anyone else.

It is fair to say that Casemiro is the most dangerous set-piece threat in the Premier League, even more than Arsenal’s Gabriel. He has, of course, benefitted from the attention United have clearly given to set pieces, and the excellent delivery the likes of Bruno Fernandes provide.

Have United made a mistake?

Casemiro enjoyed a strong debut season at United under Erik ten Hag but the following two campaigns were wildly disappointing given the reported £70m transfer fee and £375k a week wages paid for and to the Brazilian midfielder.

He has certainly paid back some of that money with his performances this season, though, which have been pivotal in securing United’s all but certain return to Champions League football and the financial rewards that comes with.

From being seen as a symptom of the problems at United, he has now become a fan favourite, as shown by the repeated chanting of his name towards the end of the victory over Brentford.

It begs the question of whether United should have pushed harder to keep Casemiro for at least another year, with Carrick insisting after the game that his exit is finalised, while also stressing, though, that clarity over his future may have helped his performances on the pitch.

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“The situation has probably helped that, knowing exactly where he’s at, there’s nothing to hide, and he’s thrown himself right into it.

“It’s football, players come and go. You’ve got to evolve and move on and adapt. He’s definitely giving everything and it’s nice he’s got that connection with the supporters.”

Getting Casemiro’s huge wage bill off the balance sheet certainly opens up more possibilities in the transfer market too as United look to strengthen their depth to better cope with the demands of European football next season.

But what is certain is that Casemiro’s outstanding performances have given United a problem they did not think they would have to worry about, replacing his goals and what else he brings to this team. Set pieces have been a huge part of United’s improvement this season and losing his heading ability in particular will be a blow.

It might be that United can replace his production in other areas, but there will certainly be a gaping hole left by the Brazilian’s departure at the end of this season that needs to be filled.