Who says Casemiro is past his prime?

Once considered past his prime, Casemiro has silenced all doubters with game-changing moments, something Manchester United will find very difficult to replace if they lose him next summer.

"Leave the game before it leaves you," a quote from former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, has been repeatedly cited as a verdict for Casemiro. This was a time when the Brazilian midfielder was experiencing a dip in form, becoming slower in tackles, and a prime example of a Manchester United midfield in disarray.

When judgment comes too soon

However, football rarely follows linear conclusions. Since that statement, Casemiro has not only returned to his best form but has also proven that judging a purely defensive midfielder by the feeling that he is "past his prime" is often a hasty judgment.

In Manchester United's 3-2 victory over Fulham in the 24th round of the Premier League on February 1st, Casemiro once again proved why he still has a place in the team. A goal, an assist, and more importantly, the sense of control in space that MU had lacked at many points this season.

Casemiro's assist for Matheus Cunha to make it 2-0 is a prime example of value that basic statistics struggle to reflect. It wasn't a straight pass to a teammate, nor was it a lucky flick.

Casemiro reads the space between the lines, dropping the ball perfectly into Cunha's path so the striker can surge forward and finish with a one-touch shot. That's the difference between a midfielder who can "pass the ball" and a midfielder who understands the structure of the game.

Casemiro isn't faster than his opponents, nor does he have flashy dribbling skills, but he knows when to place the ball in space rather than at an opponent. Details like these, at this high level, often lead to goals.

Casemiro's departure will leave a huge void in the Manchester United squad. Photo: Reuters.

Casemiro's goal in this match also conveyed a similar message. He's no longer the defensive midfielder he was at his peak at Real Madrid, but he still knows how to be in the right place at the right time in the penalty area, choose his position, and head the ball neatly into the net.

That's the experience, the instinct of a player who has played in dozens of Champions League knockout matches and won the title. And from here, the bigger question begins to emerge.

With Casemiro gone, how will MU replace him?

This summer, Casemiro's departure from Old Trafford is a certainty. His age, high salary, and the midfield rebuilding plan have led him to announce his departure from the "Red Devils". But the problem is: replacing Casemiro is not easy.

Manchester United could find a younger, fitter midfielder who can run more. But finding someone who can read the game well, position themselves correctly, and make the right decisions in seemingly small moments – that's the real challenge.

Casemiro not only provides defensive support but also brings psychological stability to matches where MU is prone to chaos. Therefore, every time Casemiro plays well, the question of "is he past his prime?" becomes a hot topic again.

Because top-level football isn't just a race of physical strength and speed, but also a game of detail and experience. And in that respect, Casemiro is still far ahead of many others.

Following his two direct contributions to Manchester United's goals against Fulham, many Red Devils fans have openly expressed their desire for the club to sign Casemiro again, even if only for a one-year contract.

On the surface, Casemiro's departure at the end of the season might seem like a cyclical personnel change. But MU needs to understand what they will lose: not just a renowned defensive midfielder, not just a celebrated star, but also a key player who helped the team find glimmer of hope in their most desperate situations.

Source: https://znews.vn/ai-noi-casemiro-het-thoi-post1624558.html