Casemiro’s form for Manchester United has been pretty good. The Brazilian defensive midfielder, who will turn 34 in a few months’ time, is enjoying a pretty good time for the Red Devils this season. After a somewhat disappointing 2024/25 season that saw many question the justification of his signing for the Red Devils, Casemiro has featured in the starting XI regularly. Casemiro’s form is one of the reasons behind United’s improved showing this season.
The Brazilian has flourished in a somewhat challenging double-pivot also featuring Bruno Fernandes. He does not play the entire match usually these days, but his impact is still pretty strong. Improvement in Casemiro’s form is definitely a good news for the Red Devils.
Casemiro’s Form Is Now Good for Both Club and Country
Casemiro has scored three goals in 10 matches for Manchester United this season, besides lending solidity to his team’s defence. The Brazilian is a perennial threat from the set-pieces and enjoys scoring with his headers from free-kicks into the opposition penalty box.
The 33-year-old Brazilian scored a goal from a free-kick in a recent international friendly against Senegal. Brazil won the match 2-0 and continued their good recent run against Carlo Ancelotti. Casemiro is Brazil’s most experienced current player with 81 caps and his wealth of experience will be needed in next year’s World Cup.
If one compares Casemiro’s performance at Real Madrid and Manchester United, one will find that he has scored at a better ratio at the latter. His 20 goals in 135 matches for United form a better ratio than 31 goals in 336 appearances for Real.
He is suddenly not as fast a player as he used to be at Real, neither can his achievements be compared with those in Madrid, where he won every possible honor as a footballer. He played in a midfield-three at Real Madrid, with top-quality players like recently retired Toni Kroos and Luka Modric by his side.
Kroos stayed back most of the time, which meant that Casemiro had company in terms of stopping opposition’s attacks.
In comparison, he has had to share more workload at United, as he plays in a two-man midfield and Bruno Fernandes is not a proper defensive player either. The defensive qualities of Toni Kroos were better than Bruno Fernandes’, which means Casemiro’s job is tougher at his current club.
Will Elliot Anderson Replace Casemiro?
With Manuel Ugarte failing to impress and Kobbie Mainoo falling out of favor with Ruben Amorim, United probably need a defensive midfielder for long-term needs. Casemiro’s contract will expire in 2026 and hence, the Red Devils are reportedly eyeing Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest as his long-term replacement.
However, until he departs, it is up to a player of his caliber to keep delivering for the club. Manchester United will be eyeing a spot in European football next season and for them to achieve that, Casemiro will have to maintain his current form.
The next year or so is very crucial for the Brazilian to improve upon his legacy as a footballer. It remains to be seen whether he is able to do that during the said period of time.
