Fans sang the praises of their heroes as Man Utd saved their best for the Europa League and the brightest stage against Athletic Club.
What was correctly billed as a tricky game for Ruben Amorim’s men instead turned into an onslaught that could have been so much worse than the 3-0 win for Man Utd.
In a difficult ground against motivated opposition, Man Utd’s senior statesmen put their hand up and made sure to get noticed, with the likes of Harry Maguire, Casemiro, and Bruno Fernandes shining.
Amidst the praise train, Amorim is now told by an MUTV pundit that a partnership he didn’t want at Old Trafford is now ideal for his team.
Man Utd’s new partnership
Amorim has been open about how he’s knowing his players’ strengths and weaknesses as he spends more time with them.
That has led to changing in the roles for some players, while others have risen or fallen down the pecking order, with Amorim flexible about players changing his mind.
The biggest example of that phenomenon in action can now be seen in the midfielder pairing he chooses, with Casemiro partnering Manuel Ugarte at the base of the midfield.
Against Athletic, the duo swept everything in side and even silenced the doubters who thought this partnership was too defensive-minded.
A goal by Casemiro and two assists by Ugarte set the tone and they combined that with their trademark combativeness and solidity in defense.
Ugarte has emerged as Amorim’s Roy Keane while Casemiro has completed a majestic turnaround at Old Trafford, and MUTV pundit Danny Webber was deeply impressed by the duo.
He said: “They [Ugarte and Casemiro] compliment each other really well. They both smell danger and always cover each other during the game. There’s a certain intelligence in the way they play, they really compliment each other.”
Ruben Amorim didn’t want Ugarte-Casemiro in midfield
Webber’s comments echo the sentiments of most Man Utd fans and it is a credit to Amorim’s flexible thinking that he’s changed his mind.
By his own admission, Amorim didn’t see Casemiro as important for his plans after the Brazilian consistently failed to deliver in early games in his tenure.
The likes of Christian Eriksen, Kobbie Mainoo, and Bruno Fernandes got turns playing next to Ugarte and Casemiro was firmly backup choice.
However, tactical tweaks have freed Casemiro to do what he does best and Ugarte’s industriousness has helped him cover the large swathes on the pitch.
It has resulted in a partnership where the skills align perfectly and brings the best out of each player. It might just have saved Casemiro’s Man Utd career in the process.
Both, the player and the Man Utd manager deserve immense credit – one for changing his mind and the other for forcing the manager to change his mind.
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