Casemiro’s Resurgence Under Carrick: A Key Asset for Manchester United

Amorim previously pointed out that Casemiro ranked “even behind Toby Collyer” among his preferred midfielders. However, the Brazilian turned his fortunes around in 2025, playing a pivotal role in Manchester United’s journey to the Europa League final. Despite his contributions, Casemiro occasionally found himself exposed in Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3 formation, which left him as the sole holding midfielder while Bruno Fernandes shifted into more attacking roles.

Under the management of Michael Carrick, Kobbie Mainoo has been reinstated in the midfield, allowing Fernandes to advance further into the attack. This tactical adjustment has provided Casemiro with enhanced support, leading to some of his most impressive performances during his four-year tenure with the club. Notably, his dominance in the recent victory over Fulham prompted Jamie Carragher to reconsider his prior harsh assessment, stating that “the football has left him.”

As Casemiro enters the final year of his contract with United, he recently confirmed his intent to depart the club in the summer, while promising to give his all in the remaining months. He expressed, “It is not time to say goodbye; there are many more memories to create during the next four months. We still have a lot to fight for together; my complete focus will, as always, remain on giving my everything to help our club to succeed.”

Demonstrating his commitment, Carrick praised Casemiro’s work ethic and determination, stating, “You can only achieve so much with those qualities. He is eager to finish the season strongly.”

Carragher, admitting his previous misjudgment, commented, “He’s going out on a high. He’s been fantastic this season and will be remembered well. His middle years at Manchester United were challenging, but he has undoubtedly bounced back. It’s clear that the football has not left him, considering his current performances in the Premier League. Casemiro is justified in challenging pundits who critique him.”

While teammates like Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire have publicly acknowledged Carrick’s influence in post-match interviews, Casemiro chose to express his gratitude privately. According to The Athletic, he thanked Carrick after his first three games, indicating that he was “feeling like a footballer again.” This sentiment suggests that he may not have felt respected under Amorim, despite ultimately winning the coach’s favor.

With Casemiro’s contributions, United is currently on a three-game winning streak under Carrick, a feat they only achieved once in the previous 14 months under Amorim. The team will aim to extend this momentum as they host an injury-plagued Tottenham on Saturday, striving for a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League.

Having won the prestigious competition five times with Real Madrid, Casemiro was brought to United in 2022 specifically to achieve that goal. He successfully secured Champions League qualification in his first season, which he now regards as his most outstanding individual campaign. After two consecutive seasons of failing to reach the Champions League, United has seen a decline in commercial revenue. Reestablishing their position among Europe’s elite is crucial for the club’s future ambitions, and Casemiro will play an essential role in this pursuit.