19 Apr 2025 12:15:27
Can we have a moment to appreciate Casemiro's recent form and his character.
He has been a signing that has been held up as everything that was wrong with our recruitment. Older, past his best, possibly declining, for a big fee and on massive wages.
There was a lot to question about the transfer. Yet in his first season he was excellent. The only issue was he picked up a few suspensions (although a couple of those were harsh and probably incorrect), along with him seeming to need a couple of games to get back into form and regain his match sharpness after missing a few games.
His second season was one to forget, injured a few times and never seemed to get back into that first season form. People started to question whether his legs were gone. Suddenly he looked like an expensive mistake with another two years left on his deal.
I'm not entirely sure his legs are gone to be honest. I think during his second season he seemed to bulk up a lot, some was muscle (he apparently liked to spend a lot of time in the gym) some was not muscle. I think he lacked a little mobility, but I also think the system and teammates he played with left him exposed and asked a lot of him (more than was ever asked if him at Real Madrid) .
He's at an age now where he will need to have a break every now and again. You can't play him for 90 minutes, twice a week for months on end. Whether that is you play him for 60 minutes or so every game then look to take him off, or you play him for 90 minutes and then give him a game off the next match who knows (personally I think playing him most games but subbing him off might be better as it keeps him match sharp) .
He definitely looks more suited to this system under Amorim, especially having someone like Ugarte alongside him with energy and athleticism. Able to cover for him and give him more licence to step forward to make tackles and interceptions, and use his surprisingly good passing range. While having a back three means there is also more cover behind him. He looks far more comfortable in a more box to box role than he did as the deepest, holding midfielder.
He also looks more trim and leaner than he did last season, which is no doubt helping with the mobility to get around the pitch and keep up with the pace of the game.
The tactical shift to a more controlled playing style, better possession with less emphasis on a transitional approach (that lead to a crazy basketball style game of end to end football that we saw under EtH last season) .
Obviously at 33 he isn't the answer to our future midfield. Yet he isn't the problem with it either. If he can continue this good form then I don't see an issue with us keeping him next season as a rotation option for the final year of his contract. If someone wants to offer the 15-20m it would take to clear what is still owed on his transfer and he wants to make the move I'd happily shake his hand and thank him for his service. However, if no one makes such an offer then I'm not opposed to him staying for his final year.
While lots of players did well in our comeback win against Lyon, I think Casemiro was probably our man of the match, strong both in defence and attack, including grabbing two assists (to tie the game at 4-4 and to take the lead to win the game) as well as winning the penalty that got us back to 3-4 and started the comeback. Bear in mind that all of this came in the 113th minute to the 121st minute. A hell of a contribution that in the game for a player who had been on from the start and apparently his legs are gone.
Well done Casemiro, we salute you. Long may his return to form last. Another player who wasn't the problem, but didn't have the right set up/ support from his teammates to showcase his full ability.
{Ed025's Note - thank you for your kind words Mrs Casimero, take the blinkers of Shappy hes been an awful signing mate and a major part of whats wrong at United, one swallow does not make a summer..
19 Apr 2025 16:50:07
I agree on both points. He was a bad signing.
However he was as you say excellent in his first season, particularly up to Christmas. Last season and most of this season he’s been awful. The exception being he’s been consistently good in Europe.
I didn’t expect to be so impressed by his passing and threat from the air.
I think Casemiro and Ugarte are a good pair. Someone like Wharton coming in alongside Ugarte would be a good replacement, what do you think?
{Ed025's Note - im not convinced by Ugarte either to be honest UR, very run of the mill player for me mate who i thought would be a good purchase, maybe with better players along side him he could do a job but i dont know..
20 Apr 2025 08:02:49
Ugarte has not quite been the blockbuster destroyer we thought he would be…. yet.
I really think he can be Ed, but the team still hasn’t properly settled into this formation Amorim plays. The pitch looks huge when we play still to me, leaving huge gaps everywhere across the midfield.
{Ed025's Note - as i said Eric im not writing him off just yet mate, he has been very underwhelming up to now but lets be honest besides Bruno hes not got much around him, he is one of the very few i would keep though..
20 Apr 2025 08:13:18
I been banging on all season that Ugarte is not good enough, so glad someone agrees, I also have doubts over Yoro and even more worrying is RA only signing so far Dorgu is not looking very good to my eyes either, but I’m not sure he was bought as 1st choice anyway, just a stop gap for this season and will be 2nd fiddle next, yes he is fit and runs a lot, but control passing and crossing is not great, so lots of work to be done with him.
Talk today that RA wants 1st team left back too, and Dorgu would only be back up to Dalot or new left back then anyway.
For me it’s GK, LB, CB, Midfielder, 2 strikers that’s most urgent I have not changed that opinion all season.
20 Apr 2025 12:38:54
Personally I’d be surprised if a new LB/ LWB came in, or at least a player who can only play that position.
Right sided much more pressing IMO.
20 Apr 2025 18:14:15
Wharton dear god no!