New Manchester United signing Casemiro made a beeline for Roy Keane when he was introduced on the pitch at Old Trafford before the game against Liverpool.
The meeting of two great central midfielders was a poignant moment. The signing of Casemiro is the move Manchester United have been crying out for. For a very long time.
It can be argued that ever since Roy Keane made his ignominious exit from Old Trafford in 2005, Manchester United simply haven’t replaced him. Until now.
Casemiro is the nearest player in terms of character and ability to Keane, even if their styles of play are a little different, with the Brazilian far more defensive minded than the Irishman in his mid-90s pomp.
READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23
Manchester United’s Keane replacement
There are big reasons Roy Keane is revered as a Manchester United icon. The success he enjoyed was unprecedented, his ability was rare, but most of all, it is his leadership which is missed the most.
Sir Alex Ferguson was unable to find a replacement for Keane during his time before he retired. He made a big investment in Owen Hargreaves, a different kind of player, who lasted just one full season before injuries struck.
Michael Carrick became a long serving fulcrum of the midfield, one who set by example, but when it came to being a fighter, a player with a nasty streak, the Englishman simply wasn’t that kind of player.
The dark side of the game is embraced by Casemiro. The Brazilian enjoys the physical side of football, the tackling, the breaking up play, and his leadership is renowned.
Manchester United just haven’t had this kind of player marshal the midfield since Keane left. The Irishman really was irreplaceable, that’s why it’s taken 17 years to get near to it.
Normally it would be wrong to compare a new signing to Roy Keane before he has kicked a ball for the club. But in this case, Casemiro deserves to be the exception. He has won five Champions League titles, leading spirited fightbacks along the way last season, which Keane would have been proud of.
Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos was quoted by Goal, of Casemiro: “You wouldn’t let us relax even in the Turkish bath! Meeting there was another torment: you would tell someone to go and you always had exercise bikes and weights ready. That’s a warning for your new colleagues to know, because with you even the Turkish bath was a gym… and you only allow people to lie down when it’s time to do sit-ups.”
Luka Modric said: “You have become a real leader. You have been one for your team-mates and for Madridismo. We will always remember you.”, before adding: “You’ve been the best bodyguard in the world.”
Casemiro is a leader, that’s clear. United need one in midfield. This is an area of the pitch where the team have been consistently overrun, and this just won’t happen any more due to the Brazilian’s spirit and discipline.
The new signing is as close as United could get to Keane. He is a player who isn’t afraid to get stuck in and take revenge on an opponent if he feels its warranted.
In 2021 against Liverpool he incensed the Anfield sideline by scything down James Milner. It was payback for the Liverpool midfielder’s late foul on Karim Benzema in the first leg.
United have long needed a midfielder who will clatter an opponent if its warranted. These type of tackles set the tone, and ignite the crowd. Along with tenacious new signings Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia, manager Erik ten Hag is leading a culture change at Old Trafford. Casemiro will lead it.
He can play a bit too, once scoring a spectacular long range free-kick, but its when he is putting in crunching tackle and destroying opposition attacks when he’s at his best. Expect him to start putting in a few challenges Roy Keane would have been proud of, once he gets on the pitch, proving he’s exactly what Manchester United have missed for so long.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
