It's official - Casemiro's Man Utd career is OVER

Cameron Smith

• 5 Apr 2024 06:30 BST
• 3 min read

It’s official - Casemiro’s career at the top level is well and truly over.

The Brazil international was superb during his first season at Manchester United, but his form has fallen off a cliff and he is no longer capable of performing at the necessary level.

As a result, Real Madrid’s decision to sell him in 2022 now looks like a masterstroke. After all, Los Blancos had just signed French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni from AS Monaco and looked set to faze out Casemiro before Man Utd came knocking with an eye-watering offer of €70.7 million.

In his debut campaign at Old Trafford, Casemiro played a key role in the Red Devils’ Carabao Cup triumph and their top four finish in the Premier League, but he is now a complete net-negative.

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Casemiro is finished at the highest level

He was no longer on the pitch for Man Utd’s 4-3 collapse against Chelsea on Thursday night, having been substituted for Scott McTominay, but Casemiro was simply atrocious at Stamford Bridge.

From a viewing perspective, the game was an absolute spectacle, but it was only made that way by both teams’ complete lack of midfield presence.

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Kobbie Mainoo, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez all weren’t at the races, however they have at least shown glimpses of potential this season. The same can’t be said for Casemiro and he was a non-entity against the Blues.

The 31-year-old was dribbled past on two occasions, failed to make a single tackle or interception, won only one of his five attempted ground duels and committed one foul. He also maintained a pass completion rate of just 84% and was the main reason why Chelsea were able to counter-attacking with no Man Utd resistance.

Simply put, Casemiro doesn’t have the legs to play in midfield for a Premier League side, let alone one with European ambitions. Erik ten Hag’s lack of clear tactical system means that Casemiro has been exposed in the middle of the pitch, granted, but he no longer has the running power necessary to compete at the highest level.

Benfica wonderkid Joao Neves has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford as a possible replacement for Casemiro, but his frame and stature next to Mainoo would be a concern, while Everton’s Amadou Onana looks to be a better prospect as things stand.

Either way, Man Utd must move on from Casemiro this summer.