A couple of considerations had been raised when Brazil midfielder Casemiro accomplished his transfer to Manchester United in August.

Would he nonetheless have sufficient motivation after 9 trophy-filled years at Real Madrid?

Could he adapt rapidly sufficient to the English sport?

Was a 30-year-old defensive midfielder actually value $60 million and a reported weekly wage of $435,000?

The solutions, doubtless, have been sure, sure and completely sure.

Take away Erling Haaland and the signing that had the most important affect in English soccer this season is definitely Casemiro, who - within the phrases of his coach - has exceeded expectations “by far.”

PHOTOS: Casemiro's successful mentality essential to Man United's hopes in FA Cup last

“He keeps surprising you,” United supervisor Erik ten Hag mentioned. “He’s such a brilliant football player.”

If there’s one participant Ten Hag would need to have out there for the FA Cup last towards Manchester City on Saturday, it’s Casemiro.

Quite merely, the distinction with and with out him is big.

Casemiro began 24 of United’s 38 league video games this season, and was a substitute in 4 others. According to statistics compiled by the Who Scored web site, United conceded a mean of lower than a aim a sport when Casemiro was within the workforce and 1.5 targets when he wasn’t.

He made 3.2 tackles per sport within the Premier League, the third highest behind Fulham’s Joao Palhinha and Leeds’ Tyler Adams.

United conceded 57 targets within the league final season. With Casemiro stationed in entrance of the protection, that quantity was all the way down to 43 this season as United secured a return to the Champions League and all of the riches that brings.

So, sure, Casemiro actually was value it.

Ten Hag famous upon arriving at United on the finish of final season {that a} chief in central midfield was the most important factor lacking in a workforce which had been getting by with an oft-maligned “McFred” (Scott McTominay and Fred) axis.

“We studied this and we searched for this - it was not easy because there aren’t many in the profile who fits to the standard of Manchester United,” Ten Hag mentioned, earlier than itemizing what Casemiro brings. “We know him as very good with organization, anticipation, winning duels, fighting and keeping the team together. But in possession, his passing distribution and finishing is very important.”

More than that, his successful mentality - fostered at Madrid, the place he received 5 Champions League titles and the Spanish league thrice - is one thing United had been lacking within the post-Alex Ferguson period.

It has that now and it’s largely due to the arrival of Casemiro and one other former Madrid participant, Raphael Varane.

“The pressure is something we are used to playing with. And we need the pressure - it’s not that kind of pressure that limits you,” Varane mentioned.

“Sometimes quality is not enough - you need the motivation, character, passion on the pitch, because in the top level in the Premier League, there are good players in any team. But to play in this kind of clubs you need something else … something different, that character to fight, to assume the responsibility, to never hide on the pitch, to be ready to face every challenge you can.”

That’s the mentality City has constructed below Pep Guardiola, who - after seven years in cost - has a workforce on the point of successful the Premier League-FA Cup-Champions League treble. It’s a feat solely achieved as soon as in English soccer earlier than, by Man United in 1999.

Casemiro is without doubt one of the few gamers within the present United workforce who might slot into City’s lineup and never look misplaced.

Often a participant for the massive event at Madrid, Casemiro stepped up for United by scoring the opening aim in its 2-0 win over Newcastle within the English League Cup last at Wembley Stadium in February.

And he has been key within the last stretch of the season in serving to United qualify for the Champions League with a third-place end within the league, notably with an acrobatic volley to attain a vital winner at Bournemouth.

Two pink playing cards - one for grabbing an opponent by the neck in an on-field melee towards Crystal Palace and the opposite for a reckless deal with - have blotted his marketing campaign and induced him to overlook seven matches in whole via suspension. He left the sector in tears after the second sending-off and was defended by Ten Hag, who most well-liked to criticize the usual of refereeing slightly than the indiscipline of Casemiro.

It’s Casemiro’s defensive duties that will likely be most necessary towards City on Saturday as a result of he’ll must preserve a leash on attacking middle midfielders Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne whereas additionally taking part in an element in stopping the provision line to Haaland.

Casemiro’s teammates are positive that received’t be past him.

“He can control a game great for us,” United defender Victor Lindelof mentioned, “with or without the ball.”

Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com