Rúben Amorim has been proven right after opting against making a much-talked-about Manchester United transfer in the summer.
Goals from Casemiro and Amad helped Manchester United battle back to earn a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest in a tense Saturday afternoon Premier League clash at The City Ground.
Both sides created early openings, but Forest looked the stronger team in the first half-hour. Even so, Casemiro struck first from a corner that the home crowd believed should never have been awarded.
Forest pushed hard for an equaliser before the break but couldn’t find one. After the restart, Sean Dyche’s side came flying out and were quickly rewarded when Morgan Gibbs-White headed past Senne Lammens to make it 1-1.
Just 39 seconds later, Nicolò Savona turned the game on its head with a close-range finish, putting United under real pressure. The match became end-to-end, and Amad levelled for Rúben Amorim’s side with a brilliant first-time volley ten minutes from time.
He thought he’d completed the comeback with another goal moments later, but Murillo’s superb goal-line clearance ensured the points were shared.
Casemiro becoming United’s most important player
United’s display against Forest was far from their best in recent weeks, but one player who has remained consistently fantastic is Casemiro, whose performance was far more than just his goal.
The Brazilian completed 51 of his 62 attempted passes as he dictated the game, also creating three chances and producing 14 defensive contributions. He had 82 touches, including five in Forest’s box, and completed his only dribble.
As for his defensive game, Casemiro produced three tackles, one block, one clearance, and one interception, also totalling eight recoveries.
As noted by journalist Rich Fay, the 33-year-old is becoming one of Amorim and United’s most important players.
Amorim right not to pursue Luiz transfer
In the summer, United opted against signing a new midfielder, despite it being clearly recognised that this was a significant hole in their squad. Instead, Amorim’s club pursued a new front three and a goalkeeper.
One midfielder they were routinely linked to was Douglas Luiz, then a player of Juventus, with plenty of talk surrounding a swap deal involving the Brazilian joining United, with one of Jadon Sancho or Antony going the other way.
However, Amorim opted against the move, with the “brilliant” player instead signing for Forest, and Casemiro has since become essential to the side over the last six weeks.
Amorim has admitted many times that the 33-year-old was far from his starting XI when he took over last year, but he is the perfect example of someone who took the challenge on, worked hard, and fought their way back into the squad.
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