Casemiro can star for Man Utd again if Ten Hag listens to Keane’s genius tactical tweak

6 Sept 2024 07:50 BST
3 min read

Roy Keane, Casemiro, Man Utd, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Write off Manchester United midfielder Casemiro at your peril, says former Old Trafford favourite Roy Keane, who claims that the Brazilian could still thrive under Erik ten Hag.

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Casemiro has been linked with a potential move to Turkey in recent days following his catastrophic performance against Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend.

The 32-year-old was replaced by Toby Collyer at half-time in that clash after two errors led to the Anfield club racing into a two-goal lead that Man Utd were never able to recover from.

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In particular, the ex-Real Madrid star was criticised for his lack of mobility.

Keane, speaking to the Stick to Football podcast, says that a tactical tweak from manager Ten Hag could bring Casemiro’s Man Utd career back from the dead.

“I wouldn’t be writing him off yet,” Keane argued. “His role in the team, if he gets back in and a couple of games under his belt, might be a bit higher up the pitch.

“The first thing we always say is: ‘He can’t get around the pitch.’ But what we’ve seen going forward, he does have an eye for a pass. Set-pieces, how many times does he get his head on it?”

Casemiro trying too hard?

Casemiro has returned for the new season looking leaner, yet Keane believes this is not an entirely positive thing for the veteran.

“He’s come back and he’s lost a lot of weight, sometimes that can affect a player,” he said.

“Players becoming fitness freaks... you can go too far the other way. You still need that strength and power in the middle of the park.”

Casemiro has missed out on the Brazil squad for the international break, so his next match is liable to be Man Utd’s trip to Southampton in Premier League action on 14 September – assuming links to Turkey do not come to fruition.

Read more about: Premier League, Man Utd, Casemiro