Ruben Amorim told what Casemiro does at Man Utd is making the team ‘tick’

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Ruben Amorim’s turnaround at Man Utd has been remarkable to watch, but it pales in comparison to what Casemiro is now doing at the club.

By Ruben Amorim’s own admission, Casemiro was once behind Toby Collyer in the pecking order, having one foot out of the exit door.

Despite being effectively pushed out of the club, he didn’t just resist those efforts, but he pushed back so hard in the most professional way that he’s now the first name on the teamsheet.

Amorim has now been told that what Casemiro does at Old Trafford can’t be replicated by anyone else, because the Brazilian makes the team ‘tick’.

Casemiro claim made for Man Utd

Sometimes, stats don’t show the whole picture, and sometimes, they show everything that there is to know, and more.

Before the draw against Nottingham Forest, Man Utd had conceded 16 goals in total, but only three of those came with Casemiro on the pitch, with the rest coming without his safety net presence.

Add to that his clutch goals and an age-defying improvement on the ball, and the Brazilian’s importance to the team is only increasing with every game.

Speaking on the Beyond the Back Four podcast, transfer insider Graeme Bailey said that Casemiro is making the team tick with his role in the pivot, something that no other player in the Man Utd squad has been able to replicate to the same standard.

Bailey said: “United are playing with belief now. When Casemiro plays well, the team are playing well. He plays the role that United are often lacking.

That pivot in midfield, that protection for the defence, I think they are a threat now. They are progressing. They are getting there. When they do have someone in that pivot role like Casemiro, it makes the whole thing work.

“It makes them tick that much more effectively.”

Casemiro is a double-edged sword for Man Utd now

As Bailey says, the importance of Casemiro to this team couldn’t be clearer, and that’s a bittersweet realisation for Amorim.

While his form ensures that his humongous wages are not a dead burden on the wage bill, it also presents a dilemma in terms of squad planning.

Casemiro’s contract expires next summer, and United have an option to extend it by a year, which they are unlikely to exercise due to his wages.

There is a scenario where Casemiro extends at United on lower wages, but that would then eat up minutes from a prospective new midfield signing who will take the Brazilian’s place.

This is all without mentioning the dressing room presence he has, because his accomplishments alone make him a leader of men.

Add to that his professionalism and how he has become the symbol of “fairness” for Amorim, and it all combines into an uncomfortable conversation next summer.

A new midfielder will arrive regardless, but it is no longer as straightforward a case of “one in, one out” as it was coming into the season.