Erik Ten Hag waited for the right moment to install Casemiro as a key part of his Manchester United midfield. Signed for \u00a370m in the summer transfer window, the Brazilian was given time to acclimatise to his new surroundings. Now, though, Casemiro is one of the central pillars of Ten Hag\u2019s rebuild at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n
This was clear in the impressive performances produced by the former Real Madrid midfield in the recent matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. Casemiro shone in both games with his presence at Stamford Bridge forcing Graham Potter into a first half tactical change to get closer to the Brazilian in the centre of the pitch.<\/p>\n
Manchester United\u2019s midfield has been the focus of much scrutiny for years. Even in the latter days of Sir Alex Ferguson\u2019s tenure, questions were asked of the midfield options at Old Trafford. Money was spent on the likes of Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek and Fred, but there was no coherent idea behind their recruitment.<\/p>\n
The same can\u2019t be said of Casemiro\u2019s signing. At the time, the 30-year-old was seen as a consolation prize for Manchester United who spent much of the summer chasing Frenkie de Jong. There is a significant difference in the way Casemiro and de Jong play the midfield position, but the former is perfect for United in their current state.<\/p>\n
Ten Hag could still use a ball-carrier in the mould of de Jong, and there is a suggestion United will reignite their interest in the Dutchman once the transfer window opens again in January, but Casemiro has given him the structure and protection his new team needed in the short-term this season. Manchester United now have a safety net.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why we brought him in,\u201d said Ten Hag when asked to explain the impact made by Casemiro after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea in which the Brazilian impressed. \u201cWe know he is capable to do that, he proved it in Spain, he proved it in the Champions League, so the highest level. So he could also do it in the Premier League.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it’s clear the Premier League is a different league, especially with the intensity, so he needed a short period to adapt to that. And now from game to game you see him growing, and how important it is for our game. He brings the composure, he brings the organisation and he even scores a goal and then you bring a lot to the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some have been surprised by the quality of Casemiro\u2019s passing from deep since joining Manchester United. However, this has been a part of the Brazilian\u2019s game for a number of years. Real Madrid made good use of it. He is more than capable of starting an attacking move from deep and offers a threat in the air too, as shown by his equalising goal against Chelsea.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not just that Casemiro is operating at a high level as an individual. He is getting more out of the players around him. Christian Eriksen has also proved to be an astute signing, joining United as a free agent in the summer, with the Dane the one who most commonly makes the lines-breaking passes to create opportunities.<\/p>\n
Bruno Fernandes has largely toiled for consistent form over the last 12 months at club level, but is now playing with more attacking freedom in the knowledge Casemiro is masking his defensive flaws behind him. Between Casemiro, Eriksen and Fernandes, Manchester United have a functional midfield unit when it wasn\u2019t certain they would have one this season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Erik Ten Hag waited for the right moment to install Casemiro as a key part of his Manchester United midfield. Signed for \u00a370m in the summer transfer window, the Brazilian was given time to acclimatise to his new surroundings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[643],"tags":[272],"class_list":["post-51393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sport","tag-featurehome"],"yoast_head":"\n