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At 34, once considered a fading legacy of the old era, Casemiro has now become a vital link in Ruben Amorim's Manchester United machine – a bitter paradox, but also a testament to the power of experience and perseverance.
When the champion is sidelined.
During Erik ten Hag's era, Casemiro was a symbol of Manchester United's transfer mistakes: a signing that was "too old, too expensive, too late." His disastrous performance in the 0-3 defeat against Liverpool – where he was at fault for two goals and was substituted after the first half – marked the beginning of that downward spiral.
When Ruben Amorim arrived, he didn't hesitate to relegate Casemiro to the bottom of the list, even placing him behind Toby Collyer – a young player who is now just a reserve at West Brom in the Championship.
A five-time Champions League champion being relegated to the side of a young player not yet 21 years old – that's the ultimate humiliation. Casemiro, who once stood at the pinnacle of European football with Real Madrid, who once sensed danger like a predator in midfield, is now seen as a burden. But for true warriors, this isn't the end, it's a challenge.
Casemiro quietly started over. He didn't complain, didn't post on social media, didn't blame the coach or the tactics. Casemiro chose the only path that veteran players understand best: work and wait for his opportunity. And when that opportunity came – Amorim was forced to rotate the squad during a demanding series of matches – Casemiro stepped onto the field and reminded everyone who he once was.
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Casemiro is too important to Manchester United. |
Last weekend, the Bernabeu was empty, but the Stretford End echoed with chants of "Casemiro!" – something that seemed impossible. Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2, but what was even more remarkable was the moment Amorim substituted Casemiro. Just minutes later, the game collapsed.
From a 3-0 lead and complete control, Manchester United suddenly panicked, lost control of the midfield, and allowed their opponents to score two goals. The Portuguese coach had to bring Manuel Ugarte on to "patch" the midfield, but order was only partially restored.
That story repeated itself throughout October: when Casemiro was on the pitch, Manchester United was a well-organized, balanced, and resilient team. When he left the field, they immediately became vulnerable.
Statistics simply confirm what the eye can see: Manchester United haven't conceded a goal when Casemiro has played since August; they've only let in 3 goals in 463 minutes with him, but 13 goals in 437 minutes without him. One goal conceded every 154 minutes, compared to one every 33 minutes – the difference between a solid defense and a fragile team.
Ruben Amorim wants to build a dynamic Manchester United, with high-pressing, fast-paced football – the kind of modern football he once brilliantly showcased at Sporting Lisbon. But within that structure, the midfield presents a thorny issue.
Bruno Fernandes played high up the pitch, almost like a number 10; Mainoo was isolated and lacked positional awareness; and Ugarte was strong in intensity but weak in maintaining tempo and escaping pressing. Amorim only had one player who could both read the game and "slow it down" at the right time: Casemiro.
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Casemiro is experiencing a resurgence in form. |
The problem is that the former Real Madrid star is 34 years old and can't run 90 minutes in a system that demands relentless pressing. Amorim knows that, and in fact, Casemiro hasn't completed a full game this season. But the truth is even more bitter: the more Manchester United try to ease his workload, the more their dependence becomes apparent. Every time Casemiro leaves the field, the machine loses its gears.
During Ten Hag's time, people used to say, "Manchester United can't play with Casemiro." Now, they have to admit: "Manchester United can't win without Casemiro."
Casemiro - the old but irreplaceable centerpiece.
Casemiro is no longer the devastating player who once struck fear into Real Madrid. He no longer possesses the speed to cover the entire width of the pitch, nor the powerful physique of his youth. But Casemiro still retains something every coach craves: the ability to position himself, read the game, and control the tempo. He understands when to commit tactical fouls, when to retain possession, and when to push the team forward. For a team undergoing a rebuilding process, Casemiro's composure is fundamental.
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Casemiro's resurgence is also a testament to Amorim's philosophy of human resource management. |
Casemiro's resurgence is also a testament to Amorim's philosophy of human resource management. He doesn't blindly trust fame, but neither does he close the door on anyone. Casemiro regained respect not through words, but through actions – in the style of those who once conquered Europe: silent, but commanding.
Of course, over-reliance on a 34-year-old is a worrying sign. Manchester United have depth in the number 10 and centre-back positions, but their midfield is frighteningly thin. They haven't signed any midfielders this summer – instead, they've invested in attack.
Amorim understands that this would be a big risk given the packed schedule: three matches in one week next month, then four matches in just 12 days after Christmas. Will Casemiro have the fitness to cope?
In reality, Casemiro relies more on his footballing intelligence than his physical strength. Amorim uses him as a deep-lying playmaker – someone who "reads" all 22 players on the pitch and makes decisions in an instant. Whenever Manchester United defend, Casemiro not only clears the ball but also commands the entire team, forcing the opposition into a stalemate. No one else in the team can do that.
A year ago, Casemiro was seen as a relic of the old era. Now, he is at the heart of every rebirth effort. From an outcast, he has become the cornerstone helping Amorim rebuild Manchester United's identity – a team that knows how to fight, how to endure, and how to win ugly when necessary.
His peak may be over, but Casemiro is living the final chapter of his career with the style of a champion: no complaining, no boasting, just proving his worth through his presence.
In football, there are players who create victories, and there are players who keep those victories from fading away. Casemiro belongs to the second category – a player who, when he leaves the pitch, makes Manchester United surprisingly vulnerable.
He went from humiliation to indispensability. And that is the journey of truly great people – those who never need anyone's recognition, because football itself chose them.
Source: https://znews.vn/ten-hag-da-sai-ve-casemiro-post1597306.html
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