Sky Sports takes a glance Casemiro’s impression at Manchester United since a £70m transfer from Real Madrid which led many to query his motivation – and United’s judgement; watch Liverpool vs Man Utd at Anfield on Super Sunday from 4pm on Sky Sports Premier League

When Casemiro arrived at Manchester United there have been query marks about his motivations. At 30 years previous, he’d received every little thing at Real Madrid and there have been accusations that this was all in regards to the cash.

United, who had simply misplaced 2-1 at dwelling to Brighton and been thrashed 4-0 at Brentford of their opening two video games, unveiled their newest mega-signing earlier than a must-win Premier League sport in opposition to fierce rivals Liverpool in direction of the tip of August.

Casemiro had simply bid a tearful farewell to Real Madrid after 9 years, 5 Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles. He felt it essential to reply the critics in his ultimate moments in Spain, saying: “If it was about money I would have left four or five years ago. The people who think that are wrong, they don’t know me at all.”

As Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti mentioned: “He wants to try a new challenge.”

Casemiro, who signed a four-year cope with the choice of an additional 12 months, had not been postpone by the disarray unfolding at Brentford. He reportedly texted his agent throughout the sport to say, “Tell them I’ll fix this.” The serial winner had little question he might change issues at Old Trafford.

Man Utd supervisor Erik ten Hag was additionally satisfied that Casemiro supplied the answer. “He’s the cement between the stones,” the United boss informed Sky Sports. “That’s what we’ve been looking for.” A summer season of drawn-out, failed strikes for Frenkie de Jong and Adrien Rabiot left an air of scepticism in regards to the switch, although. The £70m charge and £300,000-per-week wages did not assist, both.

“I don’t get as excited about the signings that Man United make at the moment as I know they’re not part of the strategy at the start of the summer,” Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville mentioned on Monday Night Football earlier than the Liverpool sport. “They’re desperate,” added Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane. “But he is quality player. The agent must be delighted with that deal with Manchester United. When you’re desperate you pay over the odds, I suppose.”

Dressed all in black, Casemiro was introduced onto the Old Trafford pitch forward of what many predicted could be a sombre affair for United. Before strolling off, Casemiro made a beeline for Keane, maybe United’s final midfielder in the identical mould, to introduce himself to one of many membership’s most well-known captains.

It was a small gesture, but it surely signalled to the supporters that he understood the historical past of the membership, endearing himself to the Old Trafford trustworthy instantly.

Casemiro acquired a first-hand view from the stands of a dogged United efficiency as they beat Liverpool 2-1. It proved to be the turning level for Ten Hag, who saved Casemiro on the bench due to Scott McTominay’s kind for the next 4 league matches.

Six months on as we strategy Sunday’s return fixture in opposition to Liverpool at Anfield – reside on Sky Sports, Casemiro has silenced his doubters and turn into indispensable. There is an argument to say the Brazil midfielder is now Man Utd’s most vital participant, with prime scorer Marcus Rashford the one different man that would moderately stake a declare to that title.

Casemiro has delivered every little thing anticipated of him and extra. No longer the anchor in a midfield trio which incorporates move masters Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, the 31-year-old now has licence to indicate he is no slouch on the ball, both. In reality, Casemiro is heading in the right direction to document his most prolific season but when it comes to aim contributions with 5 targets and 5 assists already.

But it’s defensively that Casemiro is most respected. As the stats present, he leads United for tackles, possession received in center third, fouls received and duels received per 90. Although his opener in opposition to Newcastle helped safe his player-of-the-match gong, it was his affect in preserving out the Magpies that set him aside. Few can odor hazard like Casemiro. He at all times is aware of the place he must be.

This was plain to see simply earlier than the break at Wembley as he blocked Joelinton to win a goal-kick, pre-empting that the Newcastle midfielder would beat Diogo Dalot on the wing. Casemiro celebrated the defensive intervention like he celebrated his aim, eliciting a roar of approval from the United finish.

“Anyone who knows me knows that I go for a ball like it’s a plate of dinner,” Casemiro mentioned of the incident. “That’s my profile. It’s not that it’s a final, even if it was a normal Premier League game, the whole world knows I go for it like it’s the only ball.”

For Neville, it was a second to acknowledge his misjudgement. “Look at him. All those Manchester United fans – and players – responding to him,” the Sky Sports pundit mentioned on co-commentary. “And he’s giving it some, Casemiro. I had doubts when he came, the price tag was huge, the wages enormous, the contract too long we all felt. But the impact he’s had on the club. Was he coming for the money? Was he coming for a holiday? Not at all. He’s been outstanding.”

It is this influence that has turned United from “whiners to winners”, as Neville said on Sunday. Ten Hag units the requirements however Casemiro upholds them on the pitch. Moments after profitable the Carabao Cup ultimate, he could not assist however pull up Bruno Fernandes for not passing in stoppage-time when by on aim with United 2-0 up. Casemiro’s starvation for achievement is insatiable and, it seems, infectious, too.

Casemiro, who has put an finish to the times of the McFred pivot at Old Trafford, brings a steeliness to United’s midfield that is been lacking since Keane departed in 2005. Just like the previous United captain, Casemiro elevates these round him – you solely want to have a look at Fred’s rejuvenation this season to grasp that – whereas delivering constantly.

With centre-back pairing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane behind Casemiro, Ten Hag has constructed a robust backbone that may preserve the crew afloat in moments of battle as was the case at Wembley on Sunday. There is a mix of fireplace and tenacity from the 2 south Americans, which compliments Varane’s ice-cold persona.

“Erik ten Hag said earlier in the week that Newcastle know the dark arts of the game, but his team have been streetwise in this second half,” mentioned Neville on co-commentary. “Casemiro, Martinez and Varane have all shown maturity in this performance. They know what they’re doing out there. It’s hard when you’re 2-0 up to keep at bay a team that is throwing everything at you but they’ve done it really well. They’ve managed this game out in real style.”

Sunday’s opponents Liverpool will, for maybe the primary time since Jurgen Klopp took cost in 2015, be trying over at their rivals with envy. Klopp’s aspect is crying out for a tough-tackling midfield common to deliver a little bit of chew again to Anfield with the German’s “mentality monsters” now being branded as “fragile”.

Casemiro is, in fact, a well-recognized foe for Liverpool from his days with Real Madrid. He began within the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals because the Spanish giants defeated Liverpool on each events. His presence on Sunday provides United their finest likelihood of profitable at Anfield for the primary time in additional than seven years.

Back in Madrid, Casemiro was one in every of many world-class gamers. A significant cog in a machine fabricated from mega-stars, he considerably flew below the radar. Now, at Old Trafford, he has turn into the primary attraction: the midfield strong-man trying to tug Manchester United again to the highest of English soccer.