At the start of the 2024/25 season, it felt like Casemiro was running out of time at Manchester United. Critics were vocal, fans were losing patience, and pundits were beginning to label his big-money signing a short-lived success turned costly liability. Casemiro, who once brought Champions League winning steel to United’s midfield, suddenly looked a shadow of himself, slow in transition, vulnerable in duels, and often late to challenges.
But as United approach the business end of the season, especially with a Europa League final on the horizon, Casemiro has not only turned his fortunes around, he’s done so in a way that reminds everyone why he was considered one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation.
Let’s not sugarcoat it, Casemiro was poor at the beginning of the season. His low point came during United’s humiliating 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford on September 1st, 2024. He was hooked at half-time after giving away the ball cheaply twice in midfield, one of which directly led to a goal. His passing accuracy in that match hovered around 73%, a worrying figure for someone whose job involves recycling possession and maintaining control.
Worse still, the stats revealed a deeper decline. His interceptions had dropped from 1.44 per 90 minutes in his first season to just 0.82, and he was being dribbled past 2.5 times a match, almost double his average during his Real Madrid days. At 32, many felt his legs had gone. With new blood like Manuel Ugarte arriving and Kobbie Mainoo’s star rising, Casemiro was slowly becoming the odd man out in midfield.
The appointment of Rúben Amorim in November 2024 marked a fresh start for many at the club, including Casemiro. Amorim didn’t rush to reinstate the veteran. In fact, he initially benched him for several key games, giving Ugarte and Mainoo room to flourish. But Casemiro didn’t sulk, he trained hard, stayed sharp, and waited for his chance.
It came slowly but surely. Amorim, renowned for recognizing character as much as quality, saw value in Casemiro’s leadership, his big-game mentality, and his ability to control games when United needed calm. From mid-December onwards, Casemiro started to feature more regularly, and more importantly, his performances started to reflect his reputation again.
If Casemiro’s Premier League resurgence was something to talk about, his performances in Europe were anything but. He was immense.
In the quarter-final second leg against Lyon, a chaotic, breathless 5-4 win, Casemiro was one of the few calm heads. He won the penalty for United’s third goal, laid on assists for Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire, and dominated the stats board: 9 duels won, 7 recoveries, 8 clearances, and 100% tackle success. In a match where United’s defence looked panicked at times, Casemiro’s presence guided them just enough to survive and thrive.
Then came the semi-final against Athletic Bilbao. United had a 3-0 cushion from the first leg but conceded early in the second. For a brief moment, nerves set in. The 32-year-old quelled them with a superb midfield display, capped off by a goal that killed the tie. His ability to read danger, recycle possession, and break Bilbao’s rhythm was masterful. By full-time, United had won 4-1 on the night and 7-1 on aggregate.
What Casemiro has brought back to United isn’t just tackles and interceptions; it’s leadership. He’s guided Kobbie Mainoo through difficult spells, mentored Ugarte on positional discipline, and brought vocal authority to a dressing room that has, at times, lacked direction.
Rúben Amorim even hinted after the Bilbao win that Casemiro’s voice has become crucial in the dressing room: “He’s experienced everything in football, and now he’s helping others believe they can too.”
It’s no surprise that since his return to form, United’s defensive metrics have improved. Their goals conceded per match dropped from 1.7 in the first half of the season to 1.1 with Casemiro regularly starting again. His personal numbers? He’s back to averaging 1.3 interceptions and 3.1 successful tackles per game. Perhaps more crucially, he’s stopped the habit of getting caught out in transitions, a huge flaw in the early months. That’s also down to the setup of the Portuguese coach too, credit to him.
There’s a reason top players rarely fade quietly. Casemiro’s comeback this season has been a mix of professionalism, pride, and purpose. He didn’t run from the criticism. He responded. As United prepare for their Europa League final showdown with Tottenham Hotspur, few would argue that Casemiro doesn’t deserve to start. The midfielder many had written off just eight months ago is now one of the first names on the team sheet alongside Bruno Fernandes in the biggest match of United’s season. The five-time European champion will surely be a key figure in United lifting another trophy in three consecutive seasons.
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