Casemiro could add years to his career with future centre-back switch

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Casemiro answered Manchester United’s need at centre-back in midweek, with Harry Maguire unavailable through illness.

At a rare time with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane away after international duty, a lack of options caused a SOS call to find a partner for Victor Lindelof.

Erik ten Hag said he considered youngster Rhys Bennett and Luke Shaw for the role, which Scott McTominay could have also played. Casemiro got the nod, and was a class act.

The Brazilian made 126 touches on his way to keeping a clean sheet, showing Ten Hag made the right choice, even clearing an effort off the line.

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Casemiro can add years to his career

This was not the first time Casemiro has played centre-back. He has filled in at the position previously for Sao Paulo and for Real Madrid.

It was easy to tell. Casemiro held his line well, showed good instincts to clear a chance off the line, and won his headers.

His quality at the position was an eye-opener, and showed that when he eventually does not have the legs to get up and down the pitch in midfield, he could easily make the switch on a permanent basis.

United paid £60 million to sign Casemiro in the summer, signing him to a contract until 2026 and 2027. By the end of this deal he will be 35, and while his game has the quality to endure, it is not easy to keep pace, especially at the level required at Old Trafford.

His clear ability to play centre-back bodes well, showing how he can extend his career at the club into these latter years. He has the experience and leadership skills to be a real asset.

Casemiro will be back in midfield as soon as circumstances will allow, but this won’t be the last United have seen of him at centre-back.

Midfielders with a history of switching to centre-back

There is a history of midfielders making the switch to play centre-back late in their careers. Michael Carrick did so with regularity for Manchester United late in his successful spell at the club.

Daley Blind also switched from midfield to centre-back under Jose Mourinho, a role he continued to play under Erik ten Hag at times at Ajax.

Casemiro’s Manchester City teammate Fernandinho did so under Pep Guardiola last season, while Javier Mascherano at Barcelona is another famous instance.