All the things it’s good to know

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro for £60 million, with an extra £10m doable in performance-related add-ons, however is he the participant to save lots of the membership?

Casemiro, 30, is extensively regarded to be among the best defensive midfielders on the planet and has received nearly every little thing there may be to win in Madrid after shifting from Sao Paulo in 2013.

With simply over 500 profession appearances (and 47 objectives) the Brazil worldwide has lifted the Copa Sudamericana (2012) with Sao Paulo and much more trophies with Madrid, together with; three LaLiga titles (2017, 2020, 2022); a Copa del Rey (2014); three Spanish Tremendous Cups (2017, 2020, 2022); 5 UEFA Champions Leagues (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022); three UEFA Tremendous Cups (2016, 2017, 2022); three FIFA Membership World Cups (2016, 2017, 2018.)

With Brazil — for whom he has made 63 senior caps — he has received a Copa America (2019), in addition to the South American U-17 Championship (2009), South American U-20 Championship (2011) and FIFA U-20 World Cup (2011) at youth degree.

So what can Man United count on?

Place

Casemiro normally sits deep because the central pivot in entrance of the centre-backs in a 4-3-3 system. He can get ahead to assist his attacking gamers in a extra box-to-box position however he’s geared extra to defence than assault.

The midfielder is likely one of the greatest at masking his teammates when they’re out of place and might transfer into the full-back areas to cease assaults. He has been in contrast in type to legendary Actual Madrid defensive midfielder Claude Makelele, although Casemiro’s positional sense and dedication mark him out as among the best round.

By the numbers

Casemiro had some spectacular stats amongst his Actual Madrid friends final season, taking part in 32 of the membership’s 38 league video games (fifth=) on the best way to successful a double of LaLiga and Champions League.

*Stats primarily based on Primera Division 2021-22 solely, vs. gamers with over 10 video games

Touches: 2,448 (third at Actual Madrid)
Go accuracy: 86% (nineteenth)
Restoration: 230 (1st)
Duels received: 57.6% (sixth)
Tackles received: 44% (tenth)
Possibilities created: 26 (ninth)
Anticipated objectives: 2.62 (eighth)
Anticipated assists: 2.86 (eighth)

Strengths

Casemiro’s departure means Actual Madrid lose one-third of their iconic Casemiro/Toni Kroos/Luka Modric midfield, three gamers who complemented one another completely and had been basic of their latest Champions League wins. The Brazilian’s position in that trio was well-defined as most defensive-minded of the three, defending Madrid’s defence, successful the ball again and offering a platform on which extra attack-minded colleagues might flourish — though he has proven a rising need to get ahead over time, too.

Solely 5 gamers, amongst them Barcelona‘s Sergio Busquets, had extra ball recoveries than Casemiro (230) in LaLiga final season, and that is taking part in for a Madrid workforce which tends to dominate possession. His consciousness is phenomenal, and he can typically be seen dropping again into defence to plug areas or assist out an out-of-position teammate. His cross completion price is strong — in LaLiga final 12 months it was 86% — however properly behind somebody like Kroos, who topped the charts in Spain with 94.9%.

Casemiro does rating the occasional objective, particularly from lengthy vary. His greatest ever tally in LaLiga was six objectives again in 2020-21, when you would possibly bear in mind his spectacular strike in opposition to Juventus within the 2017 Champions League ultimate. — Alex Kirkland

Casemiro was sixth in LaLiga for ball recoveries final season, whereas his defensive actions chart exhibits how concerned he will get throughout the pitch.

How he can enhance

Do not count on Casemiro to contribute repeatedly within the opposition penalty space. In LaLiga final season he created simply 26 probabilities from 32 appearances, offering three assists and scoring as soon as.

It will likely be fascinating to see how his no-nonsense type matches into the extra bodily calls for of the Premier League. Casemiro has a popularity amongst opposition followers for avoiding deserved bookings, however he nonetheless picked up 11 yellow playing cards in LaLiga final season — though surprisingly he is solely been despatched off twice in nearly a decade in Spain. — Kirkland

Why had been Man United ?

Casemiro fills a gaping gap in Manchester United’s squad and one which Erik ten Hag was decided to repair from the minute he arrived at Previous Trafford.

United have made no secret concerning the truth Frenkie de Jong was the highest goal, however with that deal trying much less and fewer prone to occur with every passing week, they’ve turned their consideration to Casemiro. He is perhaps 30, however he is nonetheless vastly skilled and among the best on the planet in his place; United could not actually say no when the chance got here up.

There can be questions on why Actual Madrid have allowed him to depart, however the backside line is that these causes will not be United’s concern. Their solely query ought to be does he instantly enhance the workforce and the reply is, undeniably, sure. Transferring from De Jong to Casemiro would not level to a lot of a recruitment plan, however the Brazilian makes United higher. — Rob Dawson

Will he slot in at Previous Trafford?

Casemiro walks straight into United’s workforce as a result of he is higher than anybody Ten Hag has in that place. The query, although, is whether or not he matches into the best way the Dutchman needs to play.

The Brazilian is an uncomplicated footballer who needs to win the ball again and provides it to somebody with extra technical capability, which is why he was so efficient in a midfield three at Actual Madrid subsequent to Modric and Kroos, two of the sport’s greatest distributors. Casemiro is not going to drive ahead with the ball or set the tempo along with his passing in the best way De Jong would possibly, however he’s going to make United higher defensively. He breaks up play, reads the sport properly and he is snug sitting in entrance of the again 4 — which is one thing United have missed even earlier than Ten Hag arrived.

United conceded too many objectives final season and shipped six in two video games in opposition to Brighton and Brentford. Casemiro’s arrival ought to assist rectify that, if nothing else. — Dawson