Casemiro proving the game-changing signing Man Utd have needed

Defensive midfielders are seldom relied upon for their goalscoring prowess, but it is certainly a welcome bonus. Casemiro was Manchester United’s hero on Saturday, as his magnificent last-gasp header earned Erik ten Hag’s side a point at Chelsea. The goal capped off another impressive display from a player who has already made a major impact at Old Trafford. 

Casemiro’s move to United in August came out of the blue. The club had spent most of the summer tracking Frenkie de Jong, but it was a futile pursuit. Despite his undoubted quality, eyebrows were raised when United pivoted from De Jong to Casemiro given the stylistic differences between the pair.  

The Brazil international did not go straight into the team, fuelling talk that he was a signing made by Ten Hag’s superiors rather than the manager himself. But since his first start in the 2-1 victory over Everton earlier this month, Casemiro has been undroppable in the Premier League. 

A five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, the 30-year-old brings considerable experience and leadership to the United dressing room. On the pitch, he has instantly provided the midfield balance that has been sorely lacking for several years now. 

Over the last few seasons, two of Fred, Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba tended to start in the United engine room. None of those is a natural holding player. The solution seemed obvious, but it took the club a while to recognise it. When they did eventually sign someone for that role, they chose one of the best in the business. 

Casemiro (5.1) already sits top in the Premier League rankings for tackles per 90, with Fulham's Joao Palhinha (4.5) closest to matching the Brazilian. He is averaging 1.8 interceptions per 90, while 2.5 fouls per 90 evidences a willingness to halt opposition attacks by whatever means necessary.  

Casemiro is far from a one-dimensional destroyer, though. He is tenacious in the tackle and always willing to get stuck in, but his anticipation and awareness help him to break up play in more subtle ways too. 

The Brazilian’s technical quality has been overlooked throughout his career. He assisted Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic 700th club career goal against Everton with a fine pass. Casemiro is making 62.1 passes per 90, more than both Fred (58.3) and McTominay (34.6), which illustrates his superior ability to control the play in the centre of the park.  

The early signs suggest that Casemiro will help to bring out the best in those around him too. There is excitement among United fans about his burgeoning partnership with Christian Eriksen, who has made a bright start to his Old Trafford career. Freed to play his more natural role as a box-to-box midfielder, Fred was excellent alongside Casemiro in the 2-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur last week. 

Casemiro’s towering header in second-half stoppage time was far from his only contribution against Chelsea. He was WhoScored’s top-rated player at Stamford Bridge, as he helped United to control the game in the first half. No other midfielder on the pitch could match his 82 percent pass completion rate, while he ranked joint-highest for tackles (5) alongside Jorginho and Lisandro Martinez. 

"That is why we brought him in," Ten Hag said when asked about Casemiro’s immediate influence on the team. "We know he is capable to do that, he proved it in Spain, he proved it in the Champions League, so the highest level. 

"So he could also do it in the Premier League. But it's clear the Premier League is a different league, especially with the intensity, so he needed a short period to adapt to that. 

"And now from game to game you see him growing, and how important it is for our game. He brings the composure, he brings the organisation and he even scores a goal and then you bring a lot to the team." 

Casemiro turns 31 in February, but he has proved with his recent performances that he is still a world-class holding midfielder. The Brazilian won nine major trophies in his nine years at Real Madrid. Without a piece of silverware since 2017, United will hope he can maintain that ratio at Old Trafford.