Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media after the 0-0 draw with Manchester City and has hinted that one Manchester United player who seemed destined to leave the club could stay beyond the transfer window.
Manchester United will undergo a huge rebuild in the summer, with a number of experienced players likely to leave the club, but Ruben Amorim has today hinted that one of the squad members who seemed destined to leave may indeed remain at Old Trafford.
Amorim was speaking after his side held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw in the Manchester derby and was particularly glowing about the player in question, who was pivotal to his team getting a draw alongside Manuel Ugarte in the United midfield.
Given the wage the player is on and the fact he was left out of the team so much during the opening months of Amorim’s reign, very few would have predicted he could stay at United, with rumours of a move to Saudi becoming stronger in recent weeks.
The manager has, however, detailed how happy he has been with how the player has worked to fit into the system and has tipped him to remain a United player for the foreseeable future.
Amorim hints at Casemiro stay
Ruben Amorim has hinted that Casemiro could remain at Old Trafford beyond this season, after a true throwback performance by the midfielder in the Manchester derby. The Brazilian won seven tackles, more than any other player on the pitch, and looked comfortable in United’s compact 5-4-1 formation.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Amorim, who has previously labeled Casemiro as really important to the team, detailed how he has been working hard behind the scenes to work himself back into the team and hinted at a possible stay beyond the summer window.
“He wasn’t playing because I understood he wasn’t the best option for the way we want to play, but he continued to work. I look at my players in the same way – if you improve what we ask, they have the opportunity.”
“That was the situation with Casemiro. The credit is all to the player. He is our player and will continue to be our player.”
It’s an interesting selection of words from Amorim, but Casemiro’s performances as of late have been among the best in the United squad. It feels like the manager has found out a way to allow him to flourish, and the tactic of sitting in a lower block and defending small spaces suits the midfielder a lot more than the open spaces under Erik ten Hag.
Casemiro’s experience will be invaluable in the dressing room, and he could be key in helping to be a calming figure for some of the youngsters breaking through. The words from the Portuguese coach do not guarantee he will remain at the club, but it’s a situation that perhaps looks a lot more likely than it did three months ago.
United still need signings if Casemiro stays
Regardless of whether Casemiro does stay or not, United needs to sign in the midfield area. The Brazilian is aging, and the club needs to prepare for the future. Amorim will be aware of this, and whether he is putting on a front in the media to protect the value of the player, which is probably the case, at least two midfield signings in the summer is pivotal for United.
United also have the likes of Sekou Kone to break through, as well as Kobbie Mainoo to come back. A question would have to be asked as to whether keeping Casemiro on the books blocks the development of a younger player.
There is, however, a scenario where the club struggles to offload the midfielder, as they did last summer, which means United has to continue with him for the upcoming season. There will be value in that, but the best feeling for all parties right now, regardless of Amorim’s comments, feels like Casemiro finding a new club when the window opens.
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