Ruben Amorim has learned from an early Man Utd mistake. (Image: Getty)
has praised himself as well as for the Brazilian midfielder’s recent resurgence after admitting he was initially demanding him to fill a role that didn’t suit. The 33-year-old seemed down and out at as he rotted on the bench after Amorim replaced , the manager who sanctioned his £70million arrival in 2022.
However, injuries to Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, and Mason Mount opened the window of opportunity for Casemiro to finish the season and potentially his United career with a flourish. And the five-time Champions League winner has grasped the chance with both hands, rediscovering some of his best form since joining the club from Real Madrid in recent weeks. Casemiro has started three consecutive games, forming a resolute midfield partnership with club captain at the heart of Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
The Portuguese head coach started his United reign with a more stubborn approach, demanding both midfielders to press high and cover both boxes.
Casemiro, in his twilight years, struggled to cope with the demands, signalling that a summer exit was inevitable.
As recently as the start of March, Amorim doubled down on his stance that he wouldn’t tweak his system to accommodate players who weren’t good fits.
“It’s quite simple – the system is not the problem. It’s the way of playing. You can build up with three with two defenders and one midfielder dropping down,” Amorim insisted.
“So it’s quite simple. I don’t see football like that. The problem with our team is not the system. We have a lot of problems, we are trying to work on these problems.
Casemiro is enjoying a Man Utd resurgence. (Image: Getty)
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“Every system needs different characteristics. But I was really clear: I have one idea of how to play football, and no matter what, I will not change that. And I’m not talking about the system; it’s the way I see football.”
Yet, Casemiro’s latest eye-catching displays had suggested that Amorim made a subtle change to his instructions in what is likely a temporary fix.
And the United boss confirmed that was the case after Thursday’s 4-1 victory against Real Sociedad, during which his No. 18 received another standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd.
He said: “I think he’s improving his game, and I’m improving the way I should use a player like Casemiro.
“I am not trying to put Casemiro pressing really high. I think you can feel that our team is more connected, even defending.
“That can help Casemiro a lot because he’s so smart and intelligent, reading the game in short spaces. He can understand where the ball is going.
“So it’s everything together. The players are playing better, and I understand the characteristics of the players better, so everything combined can help us win games.”
With Manuel Ugarte returning to the matchday squad on Thursday, Amorim could hand Casemiro a breather in Sunday’s trip to Leicester City rather than a fourth start in 11 games.