Asked by his manager, Erik ten Hag to fill in at centre back because of Harry Maguire’s illness and Casemiro nailed his colours to the mast as he put in a commanding performance to help Manchester United defeat Burnley 2-0 and keep a clean sheet.
This is a @Casemiro appreciation tweet.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 21, 2022
With United already short at centre back, ten Hag and his coaching staff were wondering who could take Maguire’s spot in the starting line-up and whilst they opted for Casemiro, the United manager said that Luke Shaw had offered his services to playing at centre back, and he also name checked Rhys Bennett, who made his first matchday appearance with the first-team, in an interview with MUTV before the game, and he said that Bennett “did really well” in the behind closed doors game against Everton [Man Utd].
A first appearance in the senior matchday squad for #MUAcademy defender Rhys Bennett ✔️🔴#MUFC || #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/tpNzdEp8zl
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 21, 2022
”Rapha [Raphael Varane] and Licha [Lisandro Martinez] were involved in the World Cup final,” added the boss. “We picked Casemiro [there] as he has played more often there, but also Luke [Shaw] has also [offered] to play there too which is really good.
“They are all committed and they want to play, they are hungry and I like that. Also, last week, Rhys Bennett played against Everton [behind closed doors] and he did really well, so we have options there, but tonight Casemiro will play there” [via Man Utd].
Fotmob awarded Casemiro a rating of 7.5, which is a good rating for a player playing in an unfamiliar position but I feel as though the rating could have been higher but when you analyse it, it is understandable as to why he got a 7.5 and not an 8 potentially as he did give the ball away once in a dangerous area. However, other than that he was faultless for ten Hag’s side as he coped well with Ashley Barnes.
Feeling right at home 👊🔴#MUFC || #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/2ZE91NEryO
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 21, 2022
Casemiro was good in and out of possession as with his passing he made 15 passes into the final third according to Fotmob and the United number 18 had a passing accuracy of 80% in the 2-0 win over Burnley at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian’s defensive work did not go unnoticed when watching the game, and this was backed up from the statistics as Fotmob detailed that Casemiro won 100% of his tackles, made two blocks, made five clearances and six recoveries in what was an authoritative defensive performance [Fotmob].
Well played guys!
👊🏽🔴 #MUFC #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/HIJv8tU2R2— Casemiro (@Casemiro) December 21, 2022
Even though Casemiro did his job well at centre back, he was missed in midfield as during the first half in particular, United did not control the game as well as they could have, which is why it is essential that Maguire is fit and available for the Nottingham Forest game on Tuesday because by having Casemiro in midfield, it allows United to control and dominate games.