Ruben Amorim hints at major Casemiro U-turn after latest Man Utd displays

Casemiro looked set to leave Manchester United after falling out of contention under Ruben Amorim but the Red Devils boss looks to have hinted the Brazilian has a future at Old Trafford

Ruben Amorim admits he is finally “learning” how to use Casemiro with the Brazilian saving his Manchester United future.

The midfielder looked set to leave the club after falling out of contention at Old Trafford. Casemiro, 33, did not play a single minute of United’s first five league fixtures of the year.

And it was suggested that he could quit the club amid interest from Saudi Arabia, with 18 months remaining on his deal. The former Real Madrid star has however forced himself back into the side in both the league and in Europe.

Amorim has admitted he now has a far better idea of what the midfielder can offer his side. Speaking after Wednesday’s Europa League win against Real Sociedad, he said: “I think I’m also learning how to use players like Casemiro and, like you said, without a lot of options, we are trying to put our players in the best positions and that helps us a lot.

“I think you can feel that they have more freedom and then because of one game in Spain that we try to use the pace of [Alejandro] Garnacho, on the right, and he showed me so many things on the right, maybe better than the left.

“So I’m trying to find the best solution for the team, and that helps us to play all the time with the same team. It was hard, sometimes we lost some pace in the end of the games, but we are learning.

“I think Casemiro gave us a little bit of calm. Sometimes, he takes a little bit long when he was not playing too much, you feel it in the game against Newcastle. The pace was not there but he is giving that first moment of build-up, and then you can push Bruno [Fernandes] near the goal, so he’s dangerous there.”

Does Casemiro have a future at Manchester United? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Amorim’s latest comments appear to be a huge u-turn from his previous stance. Speaking earlier this season, he suggested that the veteran could not cope with the physical demands of the Premier League.

He said: “Sometimes it’s a lot of that. It’s also a player’s moment. We understand that Casemiro has other things nowadays.

“The intelligence he has, understanding the game, understanding where the ball is going to fall but we’re in a league that I can see, even in European competitions, the difference in intensity is big. And so, I feel that this team also needs players with a very high intensity. And sometimes we don’t have that and sometimes that difference in characteristic can lead one player or another to play.”

Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.