MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Casemiro has gone from unwanted flop to praised hero in a matter of months.
The 35-year-old has started all five Europa League knockout games under Ruben Amorim and was unsung hero behind United’s incredible comeback against Lyon.
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The 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in mid-March marked a late turning point in Casemiro’s third season in Manchester.
With Manuel Ugarte out injured, Amorim had little choice but to turn to the older – but far more experienced- defensive midfielder.
But Casemiro has since been a mainstay in the United starting XI ever since, his importance showed by his early withdrawal at Bournemouth last Sunday to rest him for Bilbao.
And he was credited for coaching the team through their 3-0 win at a hostile San Mames on Thursday, a place he knows well with Real Madrid.
The Brazilian headed in the opener and ran 10.55km against the 10-men of Bilbao, which was more than any other United player.
A dismal 12 months of horror mistakes under previous manager Erik ten Hag saw Casemiro go from a knight in shining armour to disappointing flop.
Several high profile errors – particularly horror howlers in the 4-0 drubbing to Crystal Palace in May 2024 – saw Casemiro fall down the midfield pecking order.
The once renowned Madrid maestro was then put on the chopping block, with United praying for an offer from the riches of Saudi Arabia in January this year.
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But Casemiro – who has remained the ultimate professional while spending months on the bench – has turned it around in a new role.
Jamie Carragher‘s brutal plea to the five-time Champions League winner to “leave the football before the football leaves you” has now resurfaced to haunt the Sky Sports pundit.
If United reach the Europa League final on May 21, Casemiro will surely be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Amorim was asked about the 33-year-old’s stunning transformation after United thrashed Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the first leg semi-final.
The 40-year-old said: “He is a very good example. Even Toby (Collyer) sometimes was playing in front of him and now it is hard to take Casemiro out.
“So it is a lesson for all the players in Manchester United. No matter what is the past or the last month, everything can change in one moment.“
In the 14 matches between mid-December and the start of February, Casemiro played only 136 minutes, starting one match – the 2-0 home defeat by Newcastle, in which he was hauled off just after an hour.
During that period he was an unused sub on nine occasions, including in the memorable FA Cup win at Arsenal.
Amorim has been impressed by how hard Casemiro has worked to meet his demands to regain his place in the team.
The manager’s 3-4-2-1 system has closed the huge gaps that developed between the defence and midfield under Ten Hag and Casemiro has the safety net of a third centre back.
Simply put, United have adjusted Casemiro’s running and pressing triggers.
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Casemiro – who has one year left on his £375,000-a-week deal – was unable to fulfil that task given the high intensity of the Premier League.
So rather than pushing Casemiro to do something he can’t, Amorim instead relaxed his demands, telling the Brazilian to sit deep, rather than push high and press the opposition midfield.
It means that the wingbacks Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu press higher up the pitch, which was not the case at Sporting, where the two players in those positions would drop deep as soon as the team lost the ball.
Amorim added: “We understood that he cannot jump all the time pressing high.
“We need to let him understand and sometimes it is better to put three defenders and let him be the fourth defender and put the wing-backs pressing high.
“These are all things we are understanding and trying to cope with all the criticisms of the team. But the credit is for Casemiro.”
Casemiro’s wife, Anna, and children Sara and Caio, are happy in Manchester amid the prospect of a fourth year at Old Trafford.
United sources have been struck by how leaner Casemiro is this season, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Months after minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe listed him as part of an “overpaid” bunch, the Brazilian’s new ripped physique has silenced those who called him “overweight”.
Amorim has been impressed by how hard Casemiro has worked to meet his demands to regain his place in the team.
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