We’ve seen so many world-class footballers move to new clubs and flop over the years.
Heading to a seemingly despondent Manchester United off the back of yet another Champions League-winning campaign with Real Madrid, Casemiro might have feared a similarly gloomy fate.
And yet, the Brazilian has been a pivotal cog in the 180-degree transformation of the club’s on-field antics. The Red Devils are now gunning for success and have even been hailed as potential title challengers – the undoubtedly world-class Casemiro’s intelligence, solidity, drive and bite have been crucial elements of that turnaround.
On this edition of TPL, Scott Saunders & Rob Blanchette discuss the Manchester derby victory, the upcoming fixture versus Crystal Palace, Wout Weghorst’s comments & more!
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There was unfortunate news for Erik ten Hag and Casemiro in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, however. The midfielder’s booking at Selhurst Park means he has accumulated five in the league, therefore ruling him out of the Red Devil’s mammoth encounter with current table-toppers Arsenal at the weekend.
But how have the club fared with and without their anchor thus far?
Thankfully for United, Casemiro was signed pretty soon into the 2022/23 season. Prior to his arrival, the club had kicked off the Premier League season with a 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton before being thrashed 4-0 by Brentford in London.
Those results, however, were followed by a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford, before which Casemiro was unveiled as a United player. Coincidence? You decide.
Since then, though, the Brazilian has actually not missed a single fixture, featuring either from the start or as a substitute. Therefore, United’s win percentage without Casemiro in the side stands at a lowly 33%, losing 66% of the matches from which he’s been absent.
The Red Devils have played many more games with Casemiro on the pitch rather than off it.
In the Premier League, United have now played 16 games with the Brazilian on the pitch, winning 11 and losing just two; in the Europa League, they topped their group with Casemiro playing every game as his side won five and lost one; meanwhile, he’s featured in and won every domestic cup game so far this campaign.
That impressive form takes ten Hag’s win percentage with Casemiro in his side up to a whopping 77%, with an even 11.5% split between defeats and draws.
In terms of when the midfielder features from the off, the outcome remains pretty much the same for United as Casemiro boasts a 74% win percentage across all competitions when he starts for the Old Trafford club.