Casemiro Silences Critics as Carragher and Ratcliffe Forced to Eat Humble Pie After Stunning Comeback
Moments have been the foundation of Harry Maguire’s comeback, but Casemiro has worked tirelessly to ridicule criticism from Liverpool-leaning commentators and Man Utd’s real owner.
We were correct when we wrote that one of Manchester United’s current engine room workers had an opportunity to step up due to the team’s refusal to purchase a midfield player in the summer.
We simply chose the incorrect one. We were also correct when we indicated that Ruben Amorim’s players had a model to follow in one of their Renaissance men in an effort to restore United’s credibility. But once more, we might have accused the wrong man.
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Amorim thinks that an equally vilified celebrity, rather than Harry Maguire, is setting a great example.
After the Brazilian provided more proof that he is once again one of United’s most crucial players, the manager declared, “The other guys need to look at Casemiro.”
Compare United’s performance versus Brighton before and after Casemiro’s withdrawal.
Amorim’s team was in charge against a team more accustomed to winning at Old Trafford than United lately thanks to the seasoned midfield player.
Amorim decided it would be prudent to give the Brazilian star a break for the final 20 minutes or more after the team was ahead 3-0 with three quarters of the game remaining.
We can excuse Amorim for making a poor choice because he has not often been in such a privileged position.
Because while Casemiro’s departure may have given the 33-year-old a break, Brighton was revitalised and found it much easier to move around and through a midfield that included Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.
They are not always to blame. We are discovering that as long as Casemiro is holding his hand, Fernandes can play deeper.
Since United defeated Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford eleven months ago, Mainoo has only once partnered Casemiro for a half or more.
In any case, the difference between Casemiro’s presence and absence was striking enough to acknowledge the Brazilian’s significance.
However, if you would rather rely on statistics than your sight, here you have it.
Casemiro’s return is undoubtedly comparable to Harry Maguire’s. It could compete with Jesus Christ’s criticism in the context of Jamie Carragher’s.
As a football player, I was frequently reminded of the proverb “leave the football before the football leaves you.” He needs to quit playing football at this level and move on because it has left him at the top.
After a disastrous performance at centre back eighteen months earlier, in May 2024, Carragher went in two-footed on Casemiro.
However, the pundit was by no means alone, even though his tone caused more than the occasional grimace. Casemiro’s second season at Old Trafford was undoubtedly subpar.
When he joined from Real Madrid, he promised Ed Woodward that he would “fix” United, and his first season gave the impression that he was sincere.
However, we might eventually learn what transpired in the summer of 2023 because Casemiro either returned for season two with a hangover or was tormented by his layoff.Â
The perennial winner, one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League, became a poster boy for United’s ten-year downfall as his form collapsed by every statistic.
In March, Sir Jim Ratcliffe even mentioned Casemiro when talking about former players who were “overpaid” and “not good enough” for Manchester United.
This was not the first time. Casemiro, a five-time Champions League champion, must have been humbled to be grouped with Antony, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund, and Andre Onana. His performances do, in fact, imply that he took it personally.
Casemiro concentrated his efforts on disproving his detractors and proving that he was deserving of his salary, in contrast to other targets of criticism at Old Trafford in previous years and others who were marginalised in the early days of Amorim’s tenure.
Casemiro’s role grew in importance as Amorim gained experience and determined who personalities he could trust.
He was instrumental in leading United to the Europa League final in Bilbao, but he also developed into one of his manager’s most dependable lieutenants while gaining weight for the summer market—at least according to Ratcliffe.
Amorim was hesitant to lose an ally when many in the United boardroom would have piggybacked him to any club that would remove his salary from their records.
Casemiro benefits from United’s pitifully small schedule this year. Even so, when Amorim believes he can get away with it, he goes to great lengths to rest him.
Casemiro is currently among the first names on Amorim’s team sheet and has started all but two of the games for which he has been available (the two he missed were a derby humping and Grimsby-gate).
This is especially noteworthy in light of the manager’s admission on Saturday. “He was behind every midfielder in the beginning, including Toby Collyer, who is currently having trouble getting starts at West Brom.”
However, he persevered, worked hard, and is now back on the national team. He is really crucial to us.
The fact that Amorim now has Casemiro surrounded by teammates eager to run and execute the manager’s strategy undoubtedly helps.
The centre backs seem to be learning how and when to step in around Casemiro and Fernandes to form a trio when needed, and the front three, particularly Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha, can be relied upon to cover the gaps at the top of United’s midfield.
The kind of performance that allowed Casemiro to surpass Carlos Baleba, the £100 million player the Red Devils were purportedly so interested in, is made possible by such a structure, which was sadly lacking for the whole of Casemiro’s stay at Old Trafford.
They reportedly have “serious doubts” about him now, but when Casemiro’s contract expires next summer, the search for a midfield player will become much more essential.
Naturally, over Ratcliffe’s lifeless body, United would only activate their option to extend Casemiro’s enormous deal for an additional year.
If he is set free, he may heed Carragher’s advice to “go to the MLS or Saudi,” bringing “the football” and his reputation back with him.
