The winds around Manchester United are changing and that rebuild will get supercharged if the two games of consequence in the Europa League can be won.
Ruben Amorim has used this season to get to know his players better, which will put him in a better position to make squad decisions in the summer.
One of his first complaints after coming to Old Trafford was about a lack of leaders in the squad but he later said that Harry Maguire has developed into one alongside captain Bruno Fernandes.
Now, it has emerged that he has another ‘quiet leader’ at the club who’s quickly become one of the squad’s figureheads.
Ruben Amorim’s ‘quiet leader’
It was inevitable that after a few months as Man Utd manager, a group of favourites would emerge around the manager.
The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Noussair Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot, and Manuel Ugarte were among those favourites who started every game if they were fit.
Maguire forced himself back into that circle but another star who did the same is only now starting to get his flowers, with the biggest endorsement yet coming now.
The Manchester Evening News reports that Casemiro is viewed at the club as a ‘quiet’ leader, becoming one of the squad’s figureheads after shocking people at the club with how lean he’s been this season.
This comes following Amorim’s comments on Casemiro being an example to other players in the manner he’s changed his mind about his squad status.
Casemiro has come back from the cold to achieve untouchable status, at least for European games, and his performances have changed the narrative around him.
Man Utd’s experienced players making it count
The excitement of the youth is all well and good but no youth player can flourish in a squad that lacks experience and leadership.
It is why Amorim was reticent to use youngsters in games early on in his tenure, something that’s changed recently with the debut of Harry Amass, Tyler Fredricson, and more.
That has happened because Man Utd’s experienced players are finally stepping up and making it count instead of letting the youngsters carry the slack.
United’s European campaign has been almost entirely carried by the experienced heads, Casemiro the chief among them alongside Bruno Fernandes.
That’s the sign of a proper team with a set hierarchical structure, an environment where young talent is protected and thrives.
Casemiro is a huge part of that structure now and suddenly, his contract doesn’t look so bad anymore!
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