Roy Keane’s verdict for Casemiro’s display at the 2026 World Cup shows the importance of one first-team Manchester United player over a key area that can be improved.
Casemiro, whose contract with the Red Devils expires at the end of June, experienced both the highs and lows during Brazil’s encounter with Japan.
Roy Keane was critical of the 34-year-old Brazilian midfielder after he failed to close down the space for Kaishu Sano’s first-half opener for Japan in Monday’s clash.
However, the 54-year-old Manchester United legend equally praised Casemiro after the break, with the former Real Madrid star scoring a superb equaliser.
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Roy Keane’s point about Casemiro’s heading ability in the Brazil vs Japan match is a wake-up call for Benjamin Sesko
Casemiro rose at the back post in a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque way and the outgoing Manchester United midfielder fired home a header from a sensational Gabriel Magalhaes cross.
Gabriel Martinelli would then break the hearts of Japan players and fans in the dying stages of the World Cup match after the Arsenal star scored an injury-time winner.
Casemiro’s excellent form in heading the ball with Man Utd last season carried over to the World Cup round of 32, which the Red Devils will miss in the 2026-27 season.
Speaking after Brazil’s 2-1 win, Roy Keane’s feelings on Casemiro having the “instinct” of a “top striker” show where Benjamin Sesko will need to step up.
“Obviously, it’s been a great response from half-time, he made one change to get more crosses in, they’re getting bodies attacking it,” he said on ITV, as per the Metro.
“We’ve been critical of Casemiro defensively, but we do know he’s a goal threat, always in the box.
“The delivery, and not just that, Casemiro… He sees it all the way, but his timing, my goodness, his timing is fantastic.
“Then again, we shouldn’t be surprised because he’s scored so many brilliant goals for United; he is an aerial threat. He’s like a striker in there; his instinct in the box is like a top striker.”
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Casemiro’s Premier League heading stats with Man Utd in the 2025-26 season show where Benjamin Sesko must step up
Casemiro’s rich form in heading the ball during the second half of last season was coupled with the stunning run of form that Bruno Fernandes found at the club.
Over the course of 34 Premier League matches in the previous campaign, Casemiro netted nine times for Man Utd – eight of which were scored using his head.
The five-time Champions League winner’s stats are offset in the opposite direction by Benjamin Sesko, who didn’t deliver the same impact from an aerial standpoint.
According to FotMob, Sesko scored 11 times in 30 Premier League matches and only one of those finishes for Man Utd was through his untapped heading ability.
Casemiro also had 22 headed shots in the Premier League last season, which was mirrored by Man Utd and Slovenia striker Sesko for the same number.
With the five-time Champions League winner bowing out of Old Trafford, Sesko’s heading will be more important than ever to help plug the hole left behind by Casemiro’s soon-to-be exit.
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