Frank Christian
Casemiro has faced significant scrutiny as Manchester United struggles at the start of the 2024/25 season. However, he received a much-needed boost on Saturday, similar to his manager Erik ten Hag.
Following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Liverpool in September, Casemiro’s performance sparked criticism, with the former Real Madrid star appearing far from his former self, losing his status as one of the top defensive midfielders globally.
The hefty investment of €70 million (£58.95m/$76m) for a 30-year-old player on a four-year deal in 2022 has often been highlighted as a poor decision that reflects the financial missteps of the club in recent years.
If Manuel Ugarte had returned in peak condition from international duty, Casemiro might not have started in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Brentford, but he was on the pitch with Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.
Despite struggling to keep track of Brentford’s skillful playmaker Mikkel Damsgaard early in the match, Casemiro displayed remarkable work ethic, often dropping back to support the defense and actively joining the attack.
His contributions did not go unnoticed by the fans at Stretford End, who chanted “Do do do do, Casemiro!” in appreciation.
According to FutMob, Casemiro recorded 13 defensive actions before being substituted for Ugarte later in the match, leading all players. He successfully tackled four out of five attempts and regained possession six times.
Overall, while this game did not completely restore his reputation, it marked a positive step for both Casemiro and the squad, with the most passionate supporters still backing him.
