Inside Man Utd dressing room role of 'Uncle Cas' after second major U-turn in months
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has hailed the influence of Casemiro - and the experienced midfielder is a much-loved figure in the dressing room, as well as important on the pitch
Casemiro’s time at Manchester United has been a rollercoaster journey – and there is no doubt that the Brazilian is currently on the up. The experienced midfielder has been key to United’s three straight wins, starting alongside captain Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the park – and his influence extends well beyond the pitch.
Casemiro has allayed fears about his lack of mobility to re-establish himself as the dependable presence in midfield that United thought they were signing for £70million in the summer of 2022. The 33-year-old’s sky-high £350,000-a-week wages have often been used as a stick with which to beat him, but he has managed to turn the tide through his performances.
It is quite the turnaround for a player who looked surplus to requirements in the summer and was constantly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. Rather than go and make even more money in the Middle East, Casemiro made it clear that he wanted to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his place in Amorim’s side.
He has done just that, starting all but one of United’s Premier League matches this season while helping to solve Amorim’s biggest issue of the 2024/25 campaign. The Portuguese coach’s insistence on playing a 3-4-3 system created problems last season, with United’s two-man midfield constantly exposed.
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim handed major piece of Man Utd advice by Erik ten Hag confidantREAD MORE: Referee set for Man Utd return vs Nottingham Forest after 'pointless' red card gestureYet Casemiro’s upturn in form has helped ease those fears, with £50m signing Manuel Ugarte and academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo stuck on the bench. Asked about his performances after Saturday's 4-2 win over Brighton, Amorim said: “I think he gives a lot of experience. He's an example for everyone.
“In the beginning, he was behind every midfielder, even Toby [Collyer], but he fought and he worked, and now he's back in the national team. He's so important for us.”
As you would hope from such an experienced player, who won five Champions League titles and numerous other trophies with Real Madrid, Casemiro is sharing his wisdom in the United dressing room. There have previously been suggestions that his English is limited, but that is no longer the case.
The i says he’s called “Uncle Cas” by his team-mates, has formed a close bond with Matheus Cunha and takes it upon himself to speak to the younger players after training sessions, rather than just sticking to the Portuguese speakers. The fact he is willing to contribute so positively in the final year of his contract speaks volumes.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has been particularly impressed, especially given Casemiro’s sidelining last season. Speaking about Amorim’s treatment of him, the ex-United star said on Rio Ferdinand Presents : "That could have absolutely humiliated him, and it would have. Football players are intelligent in a football environment.
"They all smell where they are in the pecking order. So if Amorim's telling you that, every player in that squad would have known Casemiro is at the back of their pack, Toby's being called upon before him.
"Do you know how embarrassing that would have been for Casemiro? But for him to roll his sleeves up and say: 'ain't happening, you all know I'm better than him, you all know I'm the best holding midfielder at the club. Watch this space’.”
Casemiro’s deal expires on June 30, but United have the option to extend it by 12 months. The idea they would do so appeared preposterous earlier this year. Now you wouldn’t bet against it.
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