As Manchester United midfielder Casemiro strolled off the field on Saturday evening on the 70-minute mark, there was a customary embrace from a delighted Ruben Amorim. The veteran Brazilian had done his job.
It said a lot of the 33-year-old’s renewed importance to the Red Devils that his withdrawal was then followed by something of a late collapse from his side across the remaining 20 minutes or so, with the hosts looking all at sea against the Seagulls in the closing stages.
Thankfully, a thumping finish from Bryan Mbeumo at the death helped to secure a third successive victory for the Old Trafford outfit, with Amorim left to reflect on what was largely another positive display from his resurgent side.
Key to that newfound success has been the quiet emergence of a strong spine in the United starting lineup, with Matthijs de Ligt now a firm fixture ahead of new man Senne Lammens in the sticks, while the likes of Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha are beginning to flourish at the top end of the pitch.
Holding it all together in the centre of the park, however, is talismanic skipper Bruno Fernandes, and the aforementioned Casemiro, with the latter man’s remarkable revival showing no signs of ending.
How Casemiro came back from the brink
For all the talk of Carlos Baleba and the need for a new midfielder over the summer, it was Casemiro and co who no doubt won the midfield battle last weekend, with the ex-Real Madrid icon popping up with a goal and an assist amid United’s first-half onslaught.
There was a sense that this was the £350k-per-week star back to his 2022/23 best, having memorably told his agent – prior to joining the club – that he would “fix it”, after witnessing the early-season dissection from Brentford.
The £70m outlay remains a contentious point, but it’s hard to argue with his impact in that debut campaign, with United’s Carabao Cup final scorer described as the “cement” in the side by a beaming Erik ten Hag that season.
Just over a year later, however, the infamous “leave the football, before the football leaves you” line from Jamie Carragher, amid a dismal display at Crystal Palace, was followed by his absence from the FA Cup final squad. The end looked nigh.
Even at the start of 2024/25, the five-time Champions League winner appeared to be tumbling even further, notably hooked at the break after making two notable errors in September 2024, at home to eventual champions Liverpool.
As Amorim has since stated, there was a time in his tenure that Casemiro was “even behind Toby [Collyer]” in the midfield pecking order, although he quietly emerged as a key figure in last season’s Europa League run.
Of course, who can forget his two assists for Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire at the death against Lyon, having cleverly won a penalty minutes earlier. Big players produce big moments.
Such momentum has continued this term, with United’s elder statesman scoring against Chelsea and now Brighton, while returning to training early from international break ahead of starting at Anfield.
A starter in seven league games this season, the midfield warrior is a key cog in Amorim’s machine again, having successfully made Carragher and co eat their words.
Considering his age, and his current contract status, however, his long-term future in Manchester is up for debate. Just who can replace him?
How Man Utd can replace Casemiro
Just a matter of months ago, the thought of extending Casemiro’s contract would have been unthinkable, with his current deal set to expire in June 2026.
While his status as the club’s highest earner still ensures an exit appears inevitable, keeping him around on reduced wages may be an option to consider, not least with Amorim hardly blessed with midfield depth.
Regardless of what does happen come next summer, a suitable long-term successor needs to be found, with recent reports suggesting that the likes of Jobe Bellingham could be targeted heading into 2026.
Back at Old Trafford, Amorim does already have another defensive-minded presence in the form of Manuel Ugarte, although might it be Mainoo who is the perfect Casemiro replacement in waiting?
Indeed, for all the talk of the Brazilian being a deep-lying, holding midfielder in Madrid, it is actually his attacking quality that has shone in recent years.
Be it his last-gasp header at Stamford Bridge, his Wembley opener in February 2023, or his stunner under Ruud van Nistelrooy against Leicester City, the one-time Porto man regularly delivers the goods in the final third.
In Mainoo then – a player lauded as a future “£100m-plus footballer” by United writer Alex Turk – Amorim should seemingly have a worthy successor, rather than attempting to mould the 20-year-old into Fernandes’ replacement instead.
Like Casemiro, the promising Englishman might not be the most mobile, but it is easy to imagine him taking on the role that his senior colleague had against Brighton, knitting things together nicely on the edge of the box, even when operating in a midfield two.
Of course, Mainoo’s own cameo left a lot to be desired, but that could be an impact of his limited involvement this term, having yet to start a league game in 2025/26.
Non-penalty goals
0.00
0.10
Assists
0.00
0.03
Shot-creating actions
1.85
2.23
Pass completion
86.5%
87.4%
Progressive passes
3.54
3.99
Progressive carries
1.20
1.45
Successful take-ons
1.25
1.12
Tackles
2.51
2.67
Interceptions
1.04
1.56
Aerial duels won
1.04
1.32
When fit and firing, his quality was evident during his breakthrough 2023/24 season under Ten Hag, having been described as the Dutchman’s “best player” amid his stunning emergence.
Like Casemiro, Mainoo has shown his quality around the opposition penalty area, be it his dramatic winner at Molineux, or his curling efforts against both Liverpool and Lyon.
He may not cover the ground in the manner of Ugarte, but he has that silky quality in possession that belies his years, notably ranking in the top 12% of European midfielders for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
It’s not as if he doesn’t possess a defensive instinct too, memorably clearing the ball off the line on his first Premier League start against Everton, while currently ranking in the top 23% for tackles made per 90.
Much like Casemiro too, a stunning start in the United first-team has since been followed by a real crash back down to earth, with his limited role under Amorim even sparking talk of a January exit in this vital World Cup year.
It is far too soon to write him off just yet, however, and having seen 2025 prove to be the year of Casemiro’s creditable comeback, why can’t 2026 be the same for Mainoo?
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