Goodbye, Casemiro

Casemiro left MU to applause, after a journey of a warrior who had lifted the "Red Devils" back up during their most turbulent years.

Casemiro is about to leave MU.

Manchester United decided to part ways with Casemiro at the right time, when the Brazilian midfielder still had enough value to be remembered as a leader, rather than becoming a burden to the team.

A person who knows how to create victory.

During Manchester United's most turbulent years after Sir Alex Ferguson, very few players truly gave Old Trafford the feel of a genuine champion. Casemiro was one of those rare exceptions.

When the Brazilian midfielder arrived at Manchester in 2022, many believed that MU was merely buying back the final years of a Real Madrid legend. The high fee, his advanced age, and questionable fitness level fueled intense skepticism. But after just a few months, Casemiro silenced all doubts.

At that time, MU needed more than just a defensive midfielder. They needed someone who understood what winning meant.

That's something Casemiro brings immediately. Erik ten Hag once called him "cement between the stones," and that analogy perfectly reflects the Brazilian midfielder's role at Old Trafford. Casemiro has given Manchester United's midfield the steel, tackling ability, tenacity, and stability that the team had lost for too long.

Manchester United fans pay tribute to Casemiro.

Casemiro's first season was also the most recent period in which Manchester United convinced fans they were truly heading in the right direction. The team won the League Cup, reached the FA Cup final, and returned to the Champions League with a much more fighting spirit than in previous years.

But what makes Casemiro respected is not just his professional skills.

In the turbulent Manchester United dressing room, where many players come and go without leaving a lasting impression, Casemiro has always maintained the image of a quiet leader. He doesn't make a fuss in the media, doesn't like to be the center of attention, but whenever he speaks, everyone listens.

Many long-time Carrington staff consider Casemiro one of the players who has respected the club's traditions the most since Wayne Rooney or Michael Carrick. This explains why, even when his form has declined, he still enjoys immense popularity among the Old Trafford crowd.

However, top-level football is always unforgiving when it comes to age.

Regret

Casemiro is no longer the machine that once dominated the Champions League with Real Madrid. The intense Premier League has begun to wear down the Brazilian midfielder's legs. His aggressive tackles are still there, but his spatial awareness, speed, and stamina are no longer what they used to be.

Casemiro played his last game at Old Trafford.

In some matches, Casemiro appeared so sluggish that he became the target of fierce criticism from English football pundits. Former defender Jamie Carragher even harshly advised him to "leave football before football leaves you."

MU also understands that they cannot continue to live on nostalgia.

Casemiro's salary of over £350,000 per week became too much of a burden at a time when the team needed to rejuvenate its squad and restructure its finances. Not activating the one-year extension clause was a sensible, albeit emotional, decision.

It's worth noting that Casemiro never reacted negatively to the situation.

He was once relegated to the bench, Manchester United tried to sell him to Saudi Arabia, and for a period he almost disappeared from the starting lineup. But instead of creating pressure or publicly expressing dissatisfaction, Casemiro quietly trained harder. He lost weight, improved his fitness, and fought to regain his place.

It is this spirit that has earned Casemiro the special respect of Manchester United fans. Old Trafford loves players who fight until the very last minute, and Casemiro has never given up, even though he understands he is no longer at his peak.

His greatest legacy, therefore, does not lie solely in titles or crucial goals.

It lies in the influence it has on the next generation, especially Kobbie Mainoo. During Mainoo's difficult period, Casemiro was always there to encourage and guide him. The young English midfielder matured faster playing alongside a player who understood the standards of top-level football.

MU will miss Casemiro's tackles, fighting spirit, and cool demeanor. But parting ways at this time is still the right choice for both sides.

Because sometimes, the most beautiful way to end a journey is to stop before the legend becomes a shadow of itself.

Source: https://znews.vn/tam-biet-casemiro-post1652261.html