Ruben Amorim has opted to start Casemiro at the base of Manchester United’s midfield in all three Premier League games this season.
This represents a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for a player who seemed to be destined for the scrap heap when the Portuguese first took charge.
But his professionalism off the pitch finally won the head coach over, and since then, he has been a regular feature of the starting XI.
However, the 33-year-old’s current deal expires in 2026, with rumours swirling of an exit with Saudi Pro League sides as well as clubs from Brazil all chasing the five-time Champions League winner.
Casemiro’s renaissance
INEOS are keen to get rid, given his enormous wages, but Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that finding a midfielder of the ex-Real Madrid superstar’s ilk is impossible.
“Looking for a midfielder with Casemiro’s characteristics is impossible,” Ancelotti was quoted as saying by The Metro ahead of their clash with Bolivia.
“There’s no other Brazilian player who has the same characteristics as Casemiro.”
The former Real Madrid manager said this because the United midfielder was ineligible for the World Cup qualifying game against Bolivia after being shown a yellow card in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Chile last time out.
While it will be difficult to replace the winning mentality and experience the Brazil international brings to the table, the truth is United need more at this point.
Finding a replacement
Casemiro is no longer the same force he once was, and Amorim needs a more dynamic and athletic presence in the middle of the park.
Manuel Ugarte was supposed to be that player, which is why he was brought in from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, but he has fallen woefully short.
This is why Amorim demanded INEOS sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton, but a move never materialised due to the costs involved.
The Peoples Person has relayed that the Old Trafford side are preparing to break the British transfer record to land the Cameroonian, with a move in January potentially on the cards.
Feature image Jan Kruger via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
