After a turbulent start to the season, Manchester United have finally rediscovered stability — and much of that turnaround stems from the resurgence of Casemiro, whose influence now extends far beyond defensive duties.
A Veteran Who Still Dictates United’s Rhythm
At 33, Casemiro no longer covers every blade of grass like he once did, but his importance in Ruben Amorim’s setup remains unquestionable.
His return to form has been a major factor behind United’s four-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. Links hi88
The Brazilian brings structure, calmness in possession, intelligent reading of the game and the familiar steel that once made him Europe’s finest defensive midfielder.
The statistics for the 2025–26 season highlight his value clearly:
With Casemiro on the pitch (553 minutes): United scored 12 goals and conceded only 5 — averaging one goal every 46 minutes and one conceded every 110 minutes.
Without him (347 minutes): They scored just 5 but shipped 11 — a goal conceded every 31 minutes.
The contrast was visible in the 1–3 defeat to Brentford when he was suspended, and again in the 0–3 loss to Man City where he played only the final ten minutes.
A Midfielder Who Now Adds Attacking Punch
Casemiro is no longer just a shield in front of the defence. He now contributes meaningfully to United’s attacking phase — whether through goals, progressive distribution or controlled ball circulation. Under Amorim, United consistently look more threatening when Casemiro starts in midfield Nhà cái hi88.
Evolving Role, Same Intensity
Despite his age, Casemiro’s physical output has barely changed from the past four seasons. He still averages 10.8 km per match and 5.9 sprints per 90 minutes — remarkably stable numbers over the years.
His duel rate, interceptions and recoveries are also similar to previous seasons. What has changed is his positioning.
This season he stays central more often instead of dropping deep or drifting wide to cover for teammates — a sign that United’s overall structure is more stable.
As a result, his ball recoveries in the opponent’s half have increased significantly, reflecting United’s improved control and more proactive approach.
Elite Long-Range Passing Still Intact
At Real Madrid, Casemiro was celebrated not only for his defensive work but also for his ability to hit long, accurate passes. At 33, that skill remains a major asset.
In the Premier League this season he averages 3.61 successful long balls per 90 minutes. Among midfielders with at least three starts, only five players outperform him: Rodri, Granit Xhaka, Youri Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Casemiro excels at switching play quickly — especially with diagonal balls to both flanks. From deeper positions, he often releases Bryan Mbeumo with incisive ground passes that exploit the winger’s sharp movement.
A Goal Threat in His Own Right
Casemiro has scored 20 goals in 134 appearances for United — including three in eight league starts this season.
One goal came via a deflected long-range shot against Brighton, while the others — against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest — showcased his trademark aerial power.
Since the 2015–16 season, he has scored 15 headed goals, with only Sergej Milinković-Savić (17) netting more among central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues.
The Nottingham Forest Performance: A Complete Display
His showing in the 2–2 draw at City Ground perfectly captured his impact. Casemiro led United in nearly every key metric:
3 tackles
19 duels
8 ball recoveries
5 touches in the opposition box
4 shots (most in the team)
3 chances created
He also won six aerial duels — second-highest for United that day.
A Leader United Desperately Need
With his form trending upward, Casemiro is expected to remain central to United’s hopes as they face Tottenham in Matchweek 11. The trip to London will be demanding, but also a chance for the five-time Champions League winner to once again underline his worth as the true anchor of United’s midfield.
