Casemiro made a five-word promise to Manchester United after their 4-0 loss to Brentford on August 13, and he has since delivered on it.
The second match week of the 2022/2023 campaign saw United thoroughly embarrassed by a rampant Brentford side at the Gtech Community Stadium; four goals were conceded in 35 minutes and the Red Devils were left sitting rock bottom of the Premier League table.
Given this was just Erik ten Hag’s second game in charge, and second loss, it was difficult for supporters to look at the long-term picture after becoming the media’s target yet again just two weeks into a season.
However, Ten Hag was the fan-favourite before taking charge and fans weren’t giving up on him that easily. The next fixture on the list was one of United’s most heated rivalries in their history, Liverpool, and on the back of two dismal defeats, confidence was dented heading into the highly-anticipated clash.
The manager got it all right, though. Several changes to the lineup and tactically worked to perfection – United oversaw a 2-1 win that, looking back, was the result that ignited their season.
Before kick-off, five-time Champions League winner Casemiro was paraded around Old Trafford after signing a £70 million deal from Real Madrid. Ten Hag had labelled the 30-year-old “the cement between the stones” in midfield, and he has proved to be exactly that.
The Telegraph confirmed that the reigning European champions had scheduled talks with Casemiro to give him a “final chance” in staying at the club. The Brazil international had become “fixated” on the transfer though and gave the Madrid hierarchy no other choice but to oversee his departure.
The Dutchman eased Casemiro into the Premier League as, despite his long and successful experience in Spain’s top division, there’s nothing quite like the physicality of the English football league.
Casemiro: An instant impact
Looking at the impact Casemiro has had now, it reflects on the manager’s man-management skills, as he does not put one foot wrong. The Brazilian is on course to be United’s Player of the Season, though he’ll face some fierce competition given Marcus Rashford’s form and fellow summer signing Lisandro Martinez’s impact.
The Reds have already registered 20 wins, which is all they managed across the 2021/2022 campaign. Since returning from the international break, United have picked up six consecutive wins, conceding just one goal in the process. Casemiro has been instrumental throughout this and every time he has taken his place at the heart of Ten Hag’s midfield.
The game changer for the Red Devils 😍 @Casemiro | @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/gBtyLVFVpg
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) January 12, 2023
The Telegraph reported that after watching the dismal Brentford defeat, Casemiro sent his agent a message to relay to his new team, “Tell them I’ll fix this.”
True to his word, he has done exactly that. United with and without Casemiro are a considerably different side and the statistics, provided by Opta Analyst, prove that further.
There are not many cases in world football where you can say £70 million for a player is a steal, but he is a prime example. Casemiro is worth his weight in gold.
Actually Casemiro has been so good. Man United need to improve in about four areas to be a team to beat. The goal keeping department, central defense, central midfield and a typical striker in the class of Mbappe, Halaand, Lewandowiski, and Harry Kane