Man Utd’s future “£100m+ footballer” is one other Casemiro within the making

As Manchester United midfielder Casemiro strolled off the sphere on Saturday night on the 70-minute mark, there was a customary embrace from a delighted Ruben Amorim. The veteran Brazilian had performed his job.

It stated plenty of the 33-year-old’s renewed significance to the Purple Devils that his withdrawal was then adopted by one thing of a late collapse from his aspect throughout the remaining 20 minutes or so, with the hosts trying all at sea in opposition to the Seagulls within the closing phases.

Fortunately, a thumping end from Bryan Mbeumo on the demise helped to safe a 3rd successive victory for the Outdated Trafford outfit, with Amorim left to mirror on what was largely one other constructive show from his resurgent aspect.

Key to that newfound success has been the quiet emergence of a powerful backbone within the United beginning lineup, with Matthijs de Ligt now a agency fixture forward of latest man Senne Lammens within the sticks, whereas the likes of Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha are starting to flourish on the prime finish of the pitch.

Holding all of it collectively within the centre of the park, nonetheless, is talismanic skipper Bruno Fernandes, and the aforementioned Casemiro, with the latter man’s outstanding revival exhibiting no indicators of ending.

How Casemiro got here again from the brink

For all of the discuss of Carlos Baleba and the necessity for a brand new midfielder over the summer time, it was Casemiro and co who little question gained the midfield battle final weekend, with the ex-Actual Madrid icon popping up with a aim and an help amid United’s first-half onslaught.

There was a way that this was the £350k-per-week star again to his 2022/23 greatest, having memorably informed his agent – previous to becoming a member of the membership – that he would “repair it”, after witnessing the early-season dissection from Brentford.

The £70m outlay stays a contentious level, but it surely’s onerous to argue along with his affect in that debut marketing campaign, with United’s Carabao Cup remaining scorer described because the “cement” within the aspect by a beaming Erik ten Hag that season.

Simply over a yr later, nonetheless, the notorious “depart the soccer, earlier than the soccer leaves you” line from Jamie Carragher, amid a dismal show at Crystal Palace, was adopted by his absence from the FA Cup remaining squad. The top regarded nigh.

Even initially of 2024/25, the five-time Champions League winner seemed to be tumbling even additional, notably hooked on the break after making two notable errors in September 2024, at residence to eventual champions Liverpool.

As Amorim has since acknowledged, there was a time in his tenure that Casemiro was “even behind Toby [Collyer]” within the midfield pecking order, though he quietly emerged as a key determine in final season’s Europa League run.

After all, who can overlook his two assists for Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire on the demise in opposition to Lyon, having cleverly gained a penalty minutes earlier. Massive gamers produce large moments.

Such momentum has continued this time period, with United’s elder statesman scoring in opposition to Chelsea and now Brighton, whereas returning to coaching early from worldwide break forward of beginning at Anfield.

A starter in seven league video games this season, the midfield warrior is a key cog in Amorim’s machine once more, having efficiently made Carragher and co eat their phrases.

Contemplating his age, and his present contract standing, nonetheless, his long-term future in Manchester is up for debate. Simply who can substitute him?

How Man Utd can substitute Casemiro

Only a matter of months in the past, the considered extending Casemiro’s contract would have been unthinkable, along with his present deal set to run out in June 2026.

Whereas his standing because the membership’s highest earner nonetheless ensures an exit seems inevitable, holding him round on diminished wages could also be an choice to contemplate, not least with Amorim hardly blessed with midfield depth.

No matter what does occur come subsequent summer time, an appropriate long-term successor must be discovered, with latest studies suggesting that the likes of Jobe Bellingham could possibly be focused heading into 2026.

Again at Outdated Trafford, Amorim does have already got one other defensive-minded presence within the type of Manuel Ugarte, though may it’s Mainoo who’s the right Casemiro substitute in ready?

Certainly, for all of the discuss of the Brazilian being a deep-lying, holding midfielder in Madrid, it’s truly his attacking high quality that has shone lately.

Be it his last-gasp header at Stamford Bridge, his Wembley opener in February 2023, or his stunner beneath Ruud van Nistelrooy in opposition to Leicester Metropolis, the one-time Porto man frequently delivers the products within the remaining third.

In Mainoo then – a participant lauded as a future “£100m-plus footballer” by United author Alex Turk – Amorim ought to seemingly have a worthy successor, somewhat than trying to mould the 20-year-old into Fernandes’ substitute as a substitute.

Like Casemiro, the promising Englishman won’t be essentially the most cellular, however it’s straightforward to think about him taking up the function that his senior colleague had in opposition to Brighton, knitting issues collectively properly on the sting of the field, even when working in a midfield two.

After all, Mainoo’s personal cameo left lots to be desired, however that could possibly be an affect of his restricted involvement this time period, having but to start out a league sport in 2025/26.

When match and firing, his high quality was evident throughout his breakthrough 2023/24 season beneath Ten Hag, having been described because the Dutchman’s “greatest participant” amid his beautiful emergence.

Like Casemiro, Mainoo has proven his high quality across the opposition penalty space, be it his dramatic winner at Molineux, or his curling efforts in opposition to each Liverpool and Lyon.

He could not cowl the bottom within the method of Ugarte, however he has that silky high quality in possession that belies his years, notably rating within the prime 12% of European midfielders for profitable take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

It is not as if he does not possess a defensive intuition too, memorably clearing the ball off the road on his first Premier League begin in opposition to Everton, whereas at present rating within the prime 23% for tackles made per 90.

Very similar to Casemiro too, a surprising begin within the United first-team has since been adopted by an actual crash again all the way down to earth, along with his restricted function beneath Amorim even sparking discuss of a January exit on this important World Cup yr.

It’s far too quickly to put in writing him off simply but, nonetheless, and having seen 2025 show to be the yr of Casemiro’s creditable comeback, why cannot 2026 be the identical for Mainoo?