Manchester United have signed five-time Champions League winner Casemiro from Real Madrid in a bid to boost their ailing midfield this season and beyond.
Even though he turned 30 six months ago, the Brazilian destroyer has signed a four-year contract with the option of an extra year until 2017, making this a long-term investment for United.
Only Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire, Romelu Lukaku and Jadon Sancho have ever arrived at Old Trafford for bigger transfer fees than Casemiro does now.
Key in his motivation to move on from Real Madrid this summer was the pursuit of a new challenge after winning everything multiple times over in the Spanish capital.
“My cycle was over,” he said of his time at the Bernabeu. “I wanted to live a new challenge, try a different league and a different culture. I haven’t won anything [in England]. I want to help there as I helped here. I’m going full of hope. I am joining the biggest club in England.”
Casemiro was introduced to the United fans on the Old Trafford pitch ahead of Monday night’s vital Premier League win over Liverpool – in similar fashion to how former Real teammate Raphael Varane was unveiled before a clash with Leeds this time last year.
His experience alone is enough for United fans to get excited, with attention now turning to just how he might fit into Erik ten Hag’s team.
Listen now to 90min’s Manchester United podcast, The Promised Land, with Scott Saunders & Rob Blanchette. In the latest edition they dissect the brilliant performance against Liverpool, Erik ten Hag’s key decisions, Casemiro’s signing and what it means for the season ahead.
Casemiro is the kind of accomplished all-action defensive midfielder that United haven’t had – excluding deep-lying play-makers like Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick – since…probably Own Hargreaves. Failing that, maybe even Roy Keane.
Against weaker opponents, his presence as a sole defensive midfielder in the ‘number six’ role could give United more creative freedom higher up the pitch to break down stubborn low blocks.
That way, Ten Hag would be able to get both Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen into their favoured attacking midfield roles simultaneously.
Alternatively, Donny van de Beek could get a chance in front of Casemiro and next to either Fernandes or Eriksen – the kind of more advanced position the boss thinks he is best suited for and in which he previously thrived at Ajax.
Potential lineups:
Casemiro (DM) – Christian Eriksen (AM) – Bruno Fernandes (AM)
Casemiro (DM) – Donny van de Beek (AM) – Bruno Fernandes (AM)
Casemiro (DM) – Christian Eriksen (AM) – Donny van de Beek (AM)
In games against the toughest opponents, particularly away from home, Casemiro and another defensive midfielder should give United a more solid disposition than has typically been seen in the ‘McFred’ era of the last few years.
His arrival could ultimately limit McTominay’s chances this season, with Fred the more natural complementary partner to Casemiro. In this scenario, only one of Fernandes, Eriksen or Van de Beek would fit into the ‘number 10’ role at any given time.
Potential lineups:
Casemiro (DM) – Scott McTominay (DM)
Casemiro (DM) – Fred (DM)