TIG Post

Tag: Casemiro

  • Fans ‘accuse’ Casemiro of attempting to stop Garnacho from mimicking CR7 celebration, pose

    Fans ‘accuse’ Casemiro of attempting to stop Garnacho from mimicking CR7 celebration, pose

    Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho was seemingly stopped by teammate Casemiro from mimicking Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature celebration during their Carabao Cup clash against Barnsley.

    Garnacho was one of three United players to score twice as Erik ten Hag’s team dominated in a resounding 7-0 victory, advancing comfortably to the fourth round.

    The Argentina netted on either side of halftime, while Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen also bagged two goals each. Ten Hag expressed satisfaction after Antony successfully converted a penalty, marking his first goal of the season.

    Despite the jubilant atmosphere at Old Trafford, Casemiro’s subtle intervention hinted at a desire to keep things in check when Garnacho looked ready to celebrate like Ronaldo after his first goal.

    Fans believe Casemiro tried to stop Garnacho from hitting Ronaldo’s iconic celebration, with some suggesting the midfielder didn’t want to see Garnacho get in trouble for mimicking compatriot Lionel Messi’s biggest rival.

    “Casemiro was stopping Garnacho from doing Ronaldo celebrations coz they’ll kick him out of the Argentina squad,” wrote @NoodleHairCR7 on X.

    @kobbieEraa added: “Unc knew the backlash he was going to receive from Pessi fans.”

    Meanwhile, @StraightAtHim said: “Bruno and Casemiro really try and stop him after every goal. But Garnacho is absolutely shameless. I love him.”


    “Man, look at the way Casemiro was dragging him so he doesn’t do Ronaldo’s celebration, wrote @paapywes, while @Johnny19United added: “Look at the way Casemiro tells him not to and Garnacho shrugs him off.. love it he does what he wants!”


    That’s back-to-back wins for Ten Hag’s side, and they’ll look to keep things going at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

    United will then start preparing for their Europa League opener against Twente, before closing out the month with a blockbuster league clash against Tottenham.

  • Casemiro bent on Man Utd stay amid Galatasaray links – Source

    Casemiro bent on Man Utd stay amid Galatasaray links – Source

    Casemiro is reportedly open to leaving Manchester United only if he is informed that he no longer has a future at the club, according to sources.

    Turkish side Galatasaray have expressed interest in acquiring the Brazilian midfielder on loan before the Turkish transfer window closes on September 13.

    However, Casemiro remains confident of his chances to feature regularly at Old Trafford this season, despite the club’s recent acquisition of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for £50 million ($65.8 million).

    Currently on a break during the international window, the 32-year-old is expected to return to United’s training ground next week as they prepare for a September 14 fixture against Southampton.

    His form has come under scrutiny following United’s recent 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, where he was substituted at halftime after two costly errors led to goals from Luis Díaz.

    Although United are reportedly willing to consider offers, manager Erik ten Hag and sporting director Dan Ashworth are wary of weakening the squad ahead of a busy schedule, with upcoming Carabao Cup and Europa League matches.

    The team will face seven matches in just three weeks following the break.

    Additionally, Casemiro’s high wages could be a stumbling block for potential suitors, including Galatasaray. The former Real Madrid star still has two years remaining on the contract he signed when he joined United in 2022.

  • Galatasaray sets eye on Man Utd’s Casemiro – Source

    Galatasaray sets eye on Man Utd’s Casemiro – Source

    Galatasaray are reportedly eyeing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro as a potential transfer target, according to sources.

    The Turkish giants are actively searching for a midfielder and have identified the Brazilian as a key option on their shortlist.

    With the Turkish transfer window remaining open until September 13, Galatasaray still has time to finalise their summer business.

    Casemiro’s future at Manchester United is currently uncertain, especially after a disappointing performance in the recent 3-0 loss to Liverpool.

    The 32-year-old was substituted at halftime following two costly mistakes that led to Liverpool’s first two goals, both scored by Luis Díaz.

    His role in Erik ten Hag’s starting lineup is also under scrutiny with the arrival of Manuel Ugarte.

    The Uruguayan midfielder, who joined United on deadline day from Paris Saint-Germain in a £50 million ($66 million) deal, missed the Liverpool match due to registration issues but could make his debut against Southampton on September 14.

    Casemiro, who signed for Manchester United from Real Madrid in a £60 million move in 2022, still has two years left on his contract at Old Trafford.

    However, his hefty wages of over £300,000 per week could pose a significant challenge for Galatasaray.

    The Turkish club may explore a loan deal, potentially contingent on United’s willingness to cover part of his salary.

    Galatasaray, the reigning Turkish champions, have already made waves in the transfer market by securing a surprise loan deal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

    Manchester United, meanwhile, are looking to trim their wage bill, having already parted ways with high earners such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea, Anthony Martial, Raphaël Varane, and Jadon Sancho.

    Despite being open to offers for Casemiro throughout the summer, anticipated interest from the Saudi Pro League failed to materialize.

  • Casemiro not a part of Brazil squad for Copa America

    Casemiro not a part of Brazil squad for Copa America

    Brazil’s squad for next month’s Copa America has been announced, with Manchester United midfielder Casemiro notably left out of the 23-man squad.

    The 32-year-old, who has 75 caps for Brazil, has had a challenging season at Old Trafford and was not selected by coach Dorival Jr.

    Other notable absences include Tottenham forward Richarlison, Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, and Casemiro’s United teammate Antony. Neymar is also missing from the squad as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

    Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and Manchester City counterpart Ederson are among the nine Premier League players selected for the tournament in the United States, which runs from June 20 to July 14.

    Arsenal’s Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli are in the squad, along with midfielders Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Joao Gomes (Wolves), and Lucas Paqueta (West Ham).

    Dorival Jr also included teenage Palmeiras striker Endrick, who will join Real Madrid this summer. Endrick made history as the youngest male goalscorer for club or country at Wembley Stadium when he scored against England in March at just 17 years and 246 days old.

  • Erik ten Hag defends Casemiro amid dipped form this season

    Erik ten Hag defends Casemiro amid dipped form this season

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has come to the defence of Casemiro amidst criticism over his recent form.

    After a subpar showing in the team’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, Casemiro faced intense scrutiny, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp drawing comparisons between his performance and that of a participant in Soccer Aid.

    This dip in form follows a series of injuries that sidelined him for three months this season, leading to backlash from fans.


    Despite the setbacks, Ten Hag remains steadfast in his belief in Casemiro’s capabilities and told reporters, “We needed a six when I arrived here and last season he was fantastic. I don’t think he had ever scored so many goals but as a holding midfielder, he was so important to the team.

    This season he has struggled with a bad injury that he never had in his career but he is such a winner—all his career, he has always won. Everywhere he was, there was success. And I trust he will also bring us success. I know he needs games and he will be better. I am very confident about him, he is a fighter, which is why he has won big trophies. He has a personality and is a very important player.”


    Casemiro has a memorable history at Wembley, notably scoring the opening goal against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final back in February 2023.

    This performance earned him the Man of the Match award and helped secure the trophy for United.

    Drawing on this example, Ten Hag made sure to highlight Casemiro’s significant contributions in crucial matches, emphasising that he remains an indispensable figure at the club.

    “In that game—and not just that game but also in qualifying for the Champions League—he was such an important factor,” said Ten Hag. “He made a difference.”

    Casemiro will have the opportunity to make amends as United face Coventry on Sunday.

    This match holds significant importance for the Red Devils, offering them the chance to progress to the final and secure silverware in what has otherwise been a disappointing campaign.

  • “I can’t even sleep” – Casemiro fumes over Man Utd’s current form

    “I can’t even sleep” – Casemiro fumes over Man Utd’s current form

    Casemiro has revealed that Manchester United’s underwhelming performance this season has kept him up at night.

    He emphasized the importance for the club to focus on their day-to-day operations rather than being preoccupied with the title race or securing Champions League qualification.

    United, who finished third in the previous season, have struggled to replicate their form and currently sit in sixth place on the table with 49 points. They lag behind fourth-placed Tottenham by 11 points and trail league leaders Arsenal by a substantial 22 points.


    “It’s difficult. This is the point that bothers me most about not fighting for titles,” Casemiro told ESPN Brazil after Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.


    “Being 20 points behind first place. Sometimes, I can’t even sleep to try to think about doing something different. It’s reality. There’s no point in thinking about title or Champions League places, we need to think about today’s games.”

    “We need to think about the day to day, we had the opportunity to score nine points in the last few games and we scored two. We were upset. We have to think game by game and focus on the next match, against Bournemouth.”


    In a span of just eight days, Erik ten Hag’s team has relinquished a total of seven points from advantageous positions. These setbacks include late-game collapses against Brentford and Chelsea, as well as a 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday.

    “The game [vs. Liverpool] was very fast-paced and well played. A classic. We were playing against one of the leaders of the competition and who is going through a good moment. We responded well,” Casemiro said.
    “Both teams had opportunities. The game was good. At home we are strong, but we played against a great team. We have to think about the next match.”

  • Let City be your guide to make us better – Casemiro tells Man Utd club owners

    Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has suggested that the club’s new minority owners should look to Manchester City as a model to guide them in returning the team to the pinnacle of English football.

    United suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of City at the Etihad Stadium, despite initially taking the lead through Marcus Rashford.

    The match served as a stark reminder of the disparity between the two sides, especially following the confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stake in Old Trafford.

    Asked whether he sees positive signs from the new minority ownership group and if there is a long way for United to go to reach City, Casemiro told ESPN Brasil: “That is the big objective, we also have to be humble to accept that they are at the moment, not in history, as the history of Manchester United speaks for itself, but they are today the team to beat. Everyone wants to beat City.

    “We have a mirror here, which is City, and they have been doing a great job.”
    Ratcliffe, chairman and CEO of chemical company INEOS, has pledged to “knock City off their perch” within three years.

    There is hope that the arrival of the British billionaire, 71, will trigger a resurgence after more than 10 years without a title — a period during which City have won the Premier League six times.

    “Of course, when people from outside arrive, who want to add to and evolve the club’s level, it is always important,” Casemiro said.

    “It is very clear that the company [INEOS] and the new owners want to do this. I hope that they [new owners] arrive and grow together with us, as it is important for the club to have people who want to grow here.”

    United seized the lead against City courtesy of a spectacular goal from Rashford, but found themselves outplayed for the majority of the match.

    Guardiola’s side registered 27 shots on goal compared to United’s mere three attempts. However, Erik ten Hag contended that the outcome did not accurately reflect a substantial difference between the two teams.

    “No, I don’t think so, absolutely not,” the United manager said.

    “You can see we have many problems with injuries and still we had an opportunity. Really small margins and we could have scored the second goal in a debatable moment.

    “It’s not that big [a gap] and when we have everyone on board, we can be competitive. I think we also showed up in the cup final against them when it was really close but City is, at this moment, the best team in the world. Don’t forget this. We were really close to winning or at least get a point here.”

  • Erik ten Hag gives injury update on Casemiro & Lisandro Martinez

    Erik ten Hag gives injury update on Casemiro & Lisandro Martinez

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has mentioned that the return to action for Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro may take “weeks.”

    Casemiro has been sidelined for the past two months with a hamstring issue, while Martinez has been out of play since September due to a recurring foot ailment initially sustained in April.

    Although Ten Hag confirmed that they are not yet ready for action, both players have resumed training and were spotted at Carrington last week.

    On a positive note, Rasmus Hojlund is expected to be eligible for the Red Devils’ match against Wigan Athletic, as per the Dutchman’s statement.

    Talking at a pre-match press conference, Ten Hag said [via ESPN]: “They [Casemiro and Martinez] are a long time already back on the grass and now they return back into team training but not fully, so partial. Now they have to make the next steps and that may take some days, I think even weeks.

    “He [Hojlund] will return. He dropped out shortly before the game [against Forest] and so he was a little bit unwell before the game.

    The day before we expected him to play and then he dropped out shortly before the game but he is back in training.”

    Rasmus Hojlund has faced challenges in the league, managing to score only once in 15 appearances, and that lone goal came in his recent outing for the Red Devils.

    The prolonged absence of Casemiro and Martinez has been detrimental to Manchester United’s season, leading to their exit from the Champions League and an overall lacklustre performance in the league.

    In their upcoming fixture, United will face Championship side Wigan Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup.

    Hojlund is expected to be in the starting lineup, aiming to gain momentum against a comparatively weaker opponent.

  • Casemiro was a “panic buy” – Jamie Carragher

    Casemiro was a “panic buy” – Jamie Carragher

    In the coming years, Manchester United will need to spend an additional £100 million to upgrade Casemiro, according to Jamie Carragher, who believes they made a big mistake by signing him last summer.

    The 31-year-old helped the team win the Carabao Cup in his first season in English football after moving from Real Madrid to Old Trafford in a £70 million move last summer.

    He struggled greatly in Monday night’s 1-0 victory over Wolves, though, as the visitors’ running from deep caused him all kinds of issues. Gary Neville even went as far as to claim that he was “torn to shreds.” He did, nevertheless, occasionally display signs of ageing.

    Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina is the midfielder most likely to join United as they search for a replacement to complement him and help with the defensive load.

    Carragher, however, believes that by buying Casemiro, who lacks the vigour and mobility of younger midfielders at rival teams, United have put themselves in a precarious position and that they will soon need to replace him in order to remain competitive.

    I never thought Casemiro would be a good investment. Not because he hasn’t been a world-class player—he has—but rather because he’s reached a point in his career where he can’t fully recoup United’s enormous investment, the former Liverpool defender wrote in his column for The Telegraph.

    ‘He was a panic buy when he joined a year ago, bought right after the failed attempt to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona; an ageing, stellar name signed for big money and on a massive salary to appease growing fan resentment, despite the fact that he will need to be replaced with a similarly massive outlay two years from now.

    He is just the type of acquisition that United has been steering clear of this summer as they look to the future.

    Casemiro struggled against Wolves, according to Carragher, who noted that Casemiro “lacked the dynamism and energy required for such a responsible position” and was “too often isolated.”

    Erik ten Hag is already in a position where he must redesign his midfield because Casemiro lacks the stamina to work by himself. Having someone beside him will be beneficial, but it won’t go back in time and create the 25-year-old who won the Bernabeu lottery.

    His peak years were passed by the time he came to Old Trafford, therefore his overall contribution could only be useful for a limited time. Is that a resource-wise use of them?

    Casemiro, a recent addition to Manchester United, is “ready to go.”

    “United are now being strongly linked with players like Sofyan Amrabat to help Casemiro protect their back line, but they did not challenge Arsenal and Chelsea for Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez, or Declan Rice because they believed Casemiro was the same type of midfielder when they paid a premium for him.

    “That shows how unwise it was for them to pay so much,” someone said. Real Madrid just won’t let players of that calibre go until they believe they have gotten the best of them. Given that Casemiro still has four years left on his rumoured £300,000-per-week Old Trafford contract, United is still facing a huge financial obligation. They have already lost the opportunity to purchase a younger substitute.

    They won’t be title challengers until they identify a Rodri, Caicedo, or Rice of their own, he continued.

    The current market says they will need another £100 million for the midfielder to do so for the following five years after spending £70 million for someone who could do the job five years ago but will continue to struggle to achieve his prior high standards.

  • De Gea wants refereeing consistency after red against Casemiro

    De Gea wants refereeing consistency after red against Casemiro

    After Manchester United’s Casemiro was sent off in their 0-0 draw with Southampton, David de Gea pleaded for “more consistency” from referees.

    After losing to Liverpool 7-0 last week, United was unable to turn things around in the Premier League.

    Particularly after Casemiro became the first United player to receive two red cards in the same league season since Nemanja Vidic in 2013–14, they played much of their home game against the bottom-placed team on the back foot.

    Anthony Taylor initially booked Casemiro for his challenge on Carlos Alcaraz, but VAR directed the referee to check the pitch-side monitor.

    Having looked at replays that showed Casemiro going over the top of the ball and sending his studs high into Alcaraz’s leg, Taylor changed his decision and showed the Brazil midfielder a red.

    United claimed a point despite Southampton attempting 17 shots, with De Gea called into action to preserve their clean sheet on several occasions.

    Speaking to Sky Sports, De Gea said: “It should be a game to win today, but the game changed when we lost a man in the team.

    “We tried our best to score, but it was difficult. They had some chances, but in the end we showed good team spirit. We have to take the point and keep going.

    “I think Casemiro was unlucky. He tried to touch the ball and his foot came up high. I think the referees need to show more consistency. Sometimes they show a red card, and sometimes they don’t.”

    Casemiro is now set to miss the next four domestic games for United. He will be unavailable for the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham as well as Premier League clashes with Newcastle United, Brentford and Everton.

    “It’s going to be tough, he’s a big player,” De Gea said. “We will miss him for four games, but we have a big squad. We have players coming from the bench who do well. We will keep working hard.”

  • Ten Hag displeased with red card, penalty calls in draw with Southampton 

    Ten Hag displeased with red card, penalty calls in draw with Southampton 

    Erik ten Hag lamented the inconsistent nature of the officials’ rulings after being dissatisfied with Anthony Taylor’s performance in Sunday’s draw between Manchester United and Southampton.

    As Casemiro received a straight red card in the first half for an aggressive challenge on Carlos Alcaraz, United could only manage a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

    Casemiro was initially given a yellow card by Taylor, but after a VAR review, it was changed to a red, leaving the United midfielder visibly upset because replays showed he won the ball before catching Alcaraz.

    It means Casemiro is the first United player to receive two red cards in a single Premier League season since Nemanja Vidic in 2013-14, and he will serve a ban of four matches rather than three due to it being his second dismissal.

    The tackle was not too dissimilar to an incident on Saturday when Ricardo Pereira caught Joao Felix with his studs and escaped punishment entirely, and this is the crux of Ten Hag’s frustration, having also seen a couple of penalty appeals fall on deaf ears.  

    “What I think is the inconsistency; players don’t know anymore what is the policy, and I think it’s all across [every competition],” Ten Hag told reporters.

    “We see it with the Premier League yesterday: Leicester-Chelsea, the VAR is not coming online. Today, it’s coming online.

    “And then it’s two penalty situations, but they don’t come online. Especially the first one, it was clear and obvious handball, so what is the policy?”

    Ten Hag was asked if he sought that clarification from Taylor afterwards, though he was seemingly dissatisfied with the outcome.

    “Of course, we talk but not a lot, so some questions we [still] have,” he continued.

    “There’s another one: inconsistent. The referee is coming in the start of the season with a policy; we are [in the] Premier League, it’s coming strong here, we want intensity [in the play].”

    Ten Hag also feels the slow-motion and freeze-frame nature of VAR reviews does not help because he believes it makes everything look worse than in reality.

    “Everyone who knows something about football, and of course, when you freeze it, it looks bad,” Ten Hag said. “But everyone who knows something about football, who was acting on top football, they know what is bad, what isn’t bad and what is fair.

    “And I tell you: Casemiro is a really fair player. Tough but fair.

    “Casemiro is across European games, over 500 games he never had a [straight] red card. Now he has two.

    “Think about that. He plays tough, but he plays fair. And also in this, he’s playing fair, same as against Crystal Palace, so it’s very debatable.

    “And if they isolate one [incident] — it’s a little bit the same as against Crystal Palace, definitely.

    “When you saw that incident, you should have sent off three or four players and not only one [Casemiro], if you’re really consistent.”

  • Ten Hag acknowledges Casemiro ‘crossed the line’

    Ten Hag acknowledges Casemiro ‘crossed the line’

    Erik ten Hag acknowledged that Casemiro “crossed the line” and was dismissed during Manchester United’s nerve-wracking 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League, but the Dutchman feels that some Eagles players got off easy.

    Following a VAR review, Casemiro was expelled for putting his hands around Will Hughes’ neck during an argument between both sets of players that was started by Jeffrey Schlupp’s push on Antony and led to a penalty kick from Bruno Fernandes and yet another goal from the in-form Marcus Rashford.

    Schlupp then scored with 14 minutes remaining to set up a nervous finish, but United held on to earn their 13th straight victory at home in all competitions, matching their longest streak at Old Trafford since they won 20 straight games from December 2010 to September 2011.

    Ten Hag had no issues with the decision to fire Casemiro, a brazilian player who will now miss United’s next three league games, but the former Ajax manager believed Jordan Ayew and other Palace players should have also received punishment.

    “We played a brilliant game and it was a really high level first 70 minutes until the incident took place and then you see this team stands for each other,” he said.

    “It’s such a good spirit in the team and they don’t accept when a player from us can be badly injured and that’s the way Antony got treated.

    “This team sticks together but, of course, you have to control your emotions. But it’s really difficult in such a moment and I see two teams fighting each other.

    “I see two teams of players crossing the line and then one player gets picked out, gets sent off. And for me, that’s not right.

    “The player from Crystal Palace takes a big risk with this foul that he gets badly injured by pushing him across the line and you know the pitches here. And then everyone is reacting, Crystal Palace and Manchester United players, and not only Casemiro.

    “He [Ayew] was one of the players who did even worse than Casemiro. Casemiro, you freeze the moment, I think within the shot he’s crossed the line there, I do definitely. And you have to be consistent as a VAR.

    “Players and colleagues are hurting each other that bad like the player last week [Reading’s Andy Carroll] did against Christian Eriksen and the player from Crystal Palace [Schlupp]; he started this, he took a big risk by injuring Antony.”

    United are back in action again on Wednesday when Leeds United visit Old Trafford, before the Red Devils travel to Yorkshire for the reverse fixture just four days later. 

  • World Cup 2022: Brazil much stronger than in 2018 – Casemiro

    Brazil, according to Casemiro, are in a much better position at the World Cup in Qatar than they were in Russia in 2018.

    Casemiro, a midfielder for Manchester United, scored the game-winning goal against Switzerland on Monday in the 83rd minute to guarantee Brazil’s advancement from Group G.

    Brazil had been unsuccessful in their attempts to break the tie up to that moment at Stadium 974 due to the injury to Neymar, and they appeared to be headed for a third World Cup stalemate against the Swiss, who they had never defeated in the tournament.

    Brazil is the favorite to win in Qatar after losing to Belgium in the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup. Casemiro is confident that the team is stronger this time around.

    “Four years have gone by, there are new players, this year we have a wider range of options, we have more to choose from, without even changing the team we can change the way we play,” Casemiro said in a post-match press conference.

    “If we substitute players we have even more options. There’s no doubt the options are much greater than those in 2018. Not only because time has gone on and we are mature.

    “We have defenders who are more experienced, we’ve had another match without conceding. It’s not Alisson, it’s not the defence, it starts up front with Richarlison.

    “The range of options is much greater than at the last World Cup.”

    Casemiro’s sentiment was echoed by coach Tite, who claimed the real victor of Brazil’s success on Monday was the “process” of developing a younger squad.

    “There’s a wide range of options because there’s a four-year period of developing this,” Tite said.

    “What won today was this four years, and them being able to develop in a natural way, despite being young.

    “If that weren’t the case, it would be very difficult. Who won today? This process, this development. That was the cherry on the cake.”

    Brazil only needs a point from their final Group G match against Cameroon to clinch first place. They will then face the Group H runners-up, who are Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea, in the round of 16.

    Tite was encouraged that Brazil won despite missing their talisman Neymar, who suffered an ankle injury in last week’s victory against Serbia. It is unknown whether Neymar will be able to play against Cameroon.

    Asked if Brazil missed Neymar’s influence, Tite said: “Obviously, Neymar has different skills, he is a player who can make a magical moment.

    “Other players are still getting to that level, and I hope they get there. So yes, we do miss Neymar, he has a great creative power, so we miss him, but we see that there are players that can take the opportunity. Let’s enjoy this win.”

  • Classy Casemiro is commanding midfield in Manchester

    Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils revolution is up and running — and Casemiro is the glue holding it together.

    The Brazilian star joined Manchester United from Real Madrid for £70million in August, as part of a £200m spending spree at Old Trafford.

    And he is proving to be worth every penny after a series of sensational displays at the heart of midfield.

    Ahead of United’s clash with West Ham this afternoon, we take a look at how Casemiro is helping to transform his new club’s fortunes.

    Winning mentality

    Casemiro arrived in Manchester with plenty of pedigree, having won a remarkable 16 trophies across eight seasons in Madrid.

    That haul included three LaLiga titles and four Champions League triumphs and now the 30-year-old is bringing that winning mentality to Old Trafford.

    The Red Devils are unbeaten in the four Premier League matches that Casemiro has started — as well as winning three out of the four Europa League games where he has featured for over an hour.

    Problem solving

    Manchester United’s midfield has been their Achilles’ heel for a number of seasons — but Casemiro is bringing balance to their engine room.

    The Sao Paulo native has the defensive attributes to free his central team-mates from their shackles, allowing Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen or Fred to support attacks more effectively.

    That was particularly evident in the 2-0 victory over Tottenham earlier this month, when Fred was transformed by the freedom that Casemiro’s presence afforded him as he chipped in with a goal and an assist.

    United’s No18 is also assured with the ball at his feet, which is helping the Red Devils dominate possession more effectively than in previous campaigns.

    Casemiro's impressive ball-winning ability has been on display since his arrival at Old Trafford
    Casemiro’s impressive ball-winning ability has been on display since his arrival at Old Trafford

    Growing in importance

    Ten Hag is understandably delighted with Casemiro’s performances in recent weeks.

    Reflecting on the 64-cap international’s stoppage-time equaliser in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, he said: “That is why we brought him in, we know he’s capable of doing that.

    “He proved it in Spain, in the Champions League, at the highest level. So he could also do it in the Premier League.

    “He needed a short period to adapt to that, and now from game to game you see him growing, and how important he is for our game.

    “He offers composure, organisation — and also when he scores a goal as well, then you bring a lot to a team.”

    Manchester United's Casemiro has covered plenty of ground in the centre of the park
    Manchester United’s Casemiro has covered plenty of ground in the centre of the park

    Crunching the numbers

    Casemiro’s underlying numbers reflect the impact that he is having at Old Trafford.

    No player in the Premier League has made more tackles per 90 minutes than his 5.13 this season, while he is inside the division’s top 20 performers for both interceptions (1.85) and possession regains in the middle third (4.1) per 90.

    The anchorman is also a significant aerial presence — registering a commendable 1.85 headed clearances per 90.

    Meanwhile, an average of 82 touches per match reflects Casemiro’s desire to get involved in play and influence the game.

    Casemiro has made a positive impression during his first two months at Manchester United
    Casemiro has made a positive impression during his first two months at Manchester United

    Added quality

    Manchester United have enjoyed a significant upturn in fortunes since their early season woes — and former Red Devils midfielder Paul Scholes believes that Casemiro is the driving force behind that improvement.

    He said: “You can see that the stats speak for themselves, the quality that he [Casemiro] has brought to this team.

    “When you look at the Real Madrid team, you always seem to think of [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos and their quality, but this fella probably got overlooked in that. I think we are now seeing the real quality.

    “I didn’t expect him to be as good on the ball, but, obviously, he is. We have seen that again and he links the play just as well as Eriksen does, really, with his forward passing and one-touch passing.

    “I’m not sure he is going to be scoring loads of goals, but that’s not what he is in the team for. I think the real step-up in quality from what we saw at the start of the season to what we’re seeing now has made this team a lot better.”

    New boss Ten Hag will be hoping that his strong run of form continues against the Hammers later.

    Source: Livescore

  • Casemiro calls for Brazil to stay grounded amid talk of World Cup favouritism

    Casemiro has highlighted the importance of Brazil remaining grounded after being labelled as one of the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

    Brazil last lifted football’s most prestigious trophy 20 years ago, when Ronaldo Nazario scored eight goals as Luiz Filipe Scolari’s team triumphed in Japan and South Korea.

    However, Tite’s team have been tipped by many to end that drought this year, with the Selecao topping the FIFA World Rankings ahead of the tournament and seeing the likes of Neymar and Vinicius Junior start the club season in fine form.

    Speaking to Manchester United’s media channels, Casemiro said: “There are two sides to it. Of course, there’s no hiding from the fact Brazil are favourites, but the favourites don’t always win in football, the favourites aren’t always champions.

    “We know there are other national teams doing some great work, teams that are also favourites. Football, nowadays, speaks for itself. We know there are other teams playing very well.

    “We know our responsibility, we know we have to respect the teams we come up against.

    “It’s inevitable when we talk about Brazil, though we do this with our feet on the ground and a lot of respect for our opponents.”

    With 65 senior caps to his name, Casemiro appears a certainty to feature when Brazil open their Group G campaign against Serbia on November 24, and he could be joined by United team-mate Antony.

    The winger has scored three goals in his first six Premier League appearances since joining Red Devils from Ajax, and now hopes to make an impact for Brazil on the grandest stage of all.

    “My first call up to the Selecao was this year, so it’s a wonderful experience for me,” Antony said, being interviewed alongside Casemiro.

    “I’ve always dreamed of putting on the Brazil shirt, today I can live that dream leading up to a World Cup.

    “Putting on the national shirt, representing your country and your family is very important to me. I hope to be putting it on more and more and make history with the Brazilian national team.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Casemiro could start in Man Utd Europa League opener

    Man Utd 3-1 Arsenal: Red Devils’ spirit and mentality has ‘really improved’ – Erik ten Hag

    Casemiro could make his first Manchester United start and Cristiano Ronaldo may return when they face Real Sociedad in the Europa League.

    Midfielder Casemiro has made three substitute appearances since joining from Real Madrid, while Ronaldo has made just one start this season.

    But with United at Crystal Palace on Sunday, United boss Erik ten Hag is set to make changes for the Group E game.

    Club captain Harry Maguire may also feature against the Spanish side.

      Get all the latest Man Utd news, analysis, fan views and interactive content in one place

    Ten Hag was asked on Wednesday about trying to keep all his players happy.

    “Maybe I cannot keep them all happy every game but everyone gets their game-time if they perform well, it’s quite clear,” added the Dutchman.

    “But what I say, we need everyone – we have a lot of games to cover. There is a lot coming in front of us, and the national teams of course – the World Cup – but also all of the cups in England.

    “The Europa League where we are now getting in and, of course, the Premier League.”

    United, who have won their past four games to climb to fifth in the Premier League, knocked Real Sociedad out of the Europa League at the round of 32 stage in 2020-21.

    Sociedad have won two of their opening four games in La Liga and sit ninth in the table.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Manchester United agree £80m deal for Ajax winger – Antony

    With Ajax, Manchester United has reached an agreement to acquire Brazilian winger Antony.

    United will reportedly pay an initial fee of £80.75 million plus a further £4.25 million in add-ons.

    Within the next 48 hours, the 22-year-old is expected to travel to Manchester to get a medical.

    Antony would become Manchester United’s joint-second most expensive signing alongside defender Harry Maguire – the £89m paid for Paul Pogba remains the club’s record.

    Antony scored 25 goals and provided 22 assists in 82 appearances for Ajax, having joined the Dutch side from Sao Paulo in 2020 and played under current United boss Erik ten Hag.

    He made his international debut for Brazil in October 2021 and has two goals in nine appearances.

    Antony, who contributed to seven goals in his 11 Champions League appearances for Ajax, would also become the joint-fourth most expensive signing in Premier League history.

    Only Pogba’s move to United, Chelsea’s signing of Romelu Lukaku, and Manchester City’s deal for Jack Grealish would be more costly.

    United travel to Leicester City in their next Premier League fixture on Thursday, 1 September, but Antony would need to receive a work permit before making an appearance.

    The attacker would become United’s fifth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of his former Ajax team-mate, defender Lisandro Martinez, midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid, full-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord, and playmaker Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.

    Speculation also remains as to whether Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at the club following concerns about how the 37-year-old’s mood is affecting morale in the camp.

  • Man United closing in on signing Casemiro

    International reports have it that Manchester United are close to signing Casemiro, who plays for Real Madrid as a midfielder.

    The Red Devils led by Erik ten Hag want to sign the 30-year-old for 60m euros (£50.7m) plus 10m euros (£8.5m) in add ons.

    It is expected that negotiations will be completed in days.

    Although Casemiro has a contract that runs to 2025, Real Madrid are mindful of the scale of United’s offer of a contract that could extend to 2027 once the option of an additional season is added on. 

    Casemiro has been with his current side since 2013 and has aided the club in winning three La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues.

    The Brazil international ranked top for successful blocks, placed second for tackles made, behind Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets, and also came third overall for possession won. Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino was first and Busquets runner-up in that latter category.

    He also contributed to Real’s attacks, ranking fifth for forward passes and joint-sixth for shots among the league’s central midfielders.

    One of the best defensive midfield players in the world, Casemiro has been effective in a team that drops deep when it does not have possession, which Real tend to do with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in their team.

    Casemiro’s impact can be seen by looking at Opta statistics to compare his figures against those of other central midfielders in La Liga last season.

    Casemiro spent a season away from the Bernabeu on loan at Portuguese side Porto in 2014-15 but returned to Spain the following season after Real activated his buy-back clause.

    He has made 222 appearances for the Spanish giants and scored 24 goals.

    Manchester United have turned their attention to Casemiro after talks to sign Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot collapsed over the player’s demands.

    United are bottom of the Premier League and want to strengthen their midfield.

    Casemiro would become one of the United’s top earners if he completes the move and would sign a four-year contract with the option of an additional year.

    He would arrive at United on a big salary in keeping with his status as one of 30 players nominated for this year’s Ballon D’Or, even if his place at Real is under threat from new arrival Aurelien Tchouameni.