Manchester United need any momentum boost they can take, and they may have received one down the stretch of the 2023/24 Premier League season by beating lowly Sheffield United 4-2 for their first league victory since March 9 when they beat another struggling side by a margin of two, Everton.
The Red Devils’ Champions League hopes are all but shot, but there is still plenty to play for before the season ends, including pride and the futures of several individuals.
Surprisingly, former Real Madrid star Casemiro finds himself at a career crossroads in just his second season with Manchester United after a hyped move from the 2021/22 Champions League winners.
Casemiro was a huge help to Man United in the 2022/23 season, lifting a newly-minted Erik ten Hag to a Champions League place with his leadership and defensive prowess.
This season, Casemiro has been hampered by injuries, a step too slow, and rather unimpactful in the defensive midfield, leading to questions regarding his future and whether Man United will cash in on him to Saudi Arabia.
But maybe Casemiro can find a lifeline and renew his career at 32. If he has lost a step in midfield, perhaps he can take his world-class technical quality in the tackle and intelligent reading of the game to the center back position.
Against Sheffield, Casemiro was a standout, completing nearly 88 percent of his 125 attempts, recording three tackles and two interceptions in the victory.
It was an impressive, composed display from the Brazilian veteran, who looked more comfortable and in command as a center back in 2024 than he has in midfield.
One performance against a poor side in Sheffield doesn’t spare Casemiro’s future, but it does serve as an intriguing springboard to more starts in central defense.
You figure, too, with more matches at center back, Casemiro will improve further and shine, convincing Manchester United that he can be an inexpensive, experienced part of the solution of a position that needs improvement this summer.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He has been an editor for NFL Spin Zone, Daily DDT for pro wrestling, Autzen Zoo covering the Oregon Ducks, Musket Fire covering the New England Patriots, The Real Champs covering Real Madrid, Old Juve covering Juventus, Rush The Kop covering Liverpool, and Release The Knappen covering Schalke. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.