How Casemiro has Changed Man Utd

Casemiro is one of the most important players in Real Madrid's and Man Utd's history, and his contribution to the teams' success cannot be overstated. The Brazilian midfielder has become a crucial figure in this Man Utd squad, providing a balance between defence and attack that is essential for a team to be successful and balanced. Man Utd fans have been crying out for 5-6 years for a 'number 6' - out an out defensive midfielder that sits in front of the two central defenders. They had spent the summer transfer window chasing Frenkie De Jong's shadow. But as the window time was growing thinner, the panic was starting to creep in as De Jong was adamant about staying in Barcelona. Thus Man Utd put those funds towards Casemiro, at the time it was seen as a panic buy for a midfielder who was 30 years old and was 'collecting his final paycheck.' However, midway through this 22/23 season, he is without a doubt the 'signing of the season' in the Premier League. 

He has helped Ten Hag transform the mentality and outlook these Man Utd players have when it comes to football. As simple as it sounds, it was very much needed at Man Utd who have suffered without any leaders and a poor and closed mentality. Missing out on De Jong was rather a blessing in disguise as Casemiro's experience at the very highest level is invaluable to this current crop at Man Utd. In his last 17 finals, he has won 16 of them - a player with this record has to be playing at Man Utd and it shows as he was the first goal scorer and MOTM in Man Utd's first trophy success in 6 years.

Casemiro's defensive abilities are exceptional. He is a natural defensive midfielder, whose primary role is to protect the defence and break up opposition attacks. Man Utd has not had a proper defensive midfielder since Herrera and Matic were at the club. McTominay has played there but clearly, struggles and Fred is more suited as a box-to-box or as a number 8. Fred is very good at intercepting and will cover many yards for the team and has recently picked up the knack of scoring goals and assisting - a perfect partner for Casemiro. Casemiro's tackling, intercepting, and positioning skills are second to none, and he has proven himself to be a formidable force in midfield. His physical strength and ability to win duels are key assets, allowing him to dominate the midfield and break up opposition attacks before they become dangerous.

Many people doubted Casemiro's passing as at Madrid he was overshadowed by the brilliant duo - Modric and Kroos. But Casemiro is an excellent passer of the ball. He is relatively comfortable in possession and has a wide range of passing, from short, simple passes to long balls that can unlock defences. His accuracy and vision make him an important player in United's build-up play, and his ability to pick out his teammates in advanced positions can be critical in creating goalscoring opportunities.

Casemiro is a natural leader on the field. He is vocal and constantly communicates with his teammates, organising the defence and providing instructions. His leadership qualities have made him a respected figure in the Real Madrid and Man Utd dressing rooms, and his ability to inspire his teammates can make a real difference in big games. This type of mentality was needed at Man Utd as it was seen too many times in the season before, the players prior to Casemiro would hide and shy away from difficult moments. Disarray and lack of discipline were some of the many contributing factors to Man Utd's demise in the season before. Casemiro is tactically disciplined, he understands his role in the team and is willing to sacrifice his attacking ambitions to protect the defence. His tactical awareness and discipline make him an essential player for Man Utd, especially in big games where the team needs to be defensively solid. His role has allowed players such as Fred to shine through and properly show their best qualities on a more consistent basis as Fred knows that there is a reliable source behind him.

To summarise, Casemiro is a vital player for Man Utd. His defensive abilities, passing, leadership, work rate, and tactical discipline make him a complete midfielder and one of the best in the world. Real Madrid's success is often built on a strong defensive foundation, and Casemiro is a crucial component of that foundation. Now it seems the success he had at Madrid can be replicated in some ways at Man Utd over the years. His contribution to the team cannot be overstated, and he is likely to remain a key figure in the team for many years to come.