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Erik ten Hag started Scott McTominay instead and the 25-year-old retained that position in the starting line-up until United played Everton at Goodison Park, the game after the Manchester City debacle that forced the Dutchman to make changes.
Casemiro was outstanding against Everton and he’s started every game since. After taking his time to return to full fitness, the Brazilian has recently proved his class and he’s been key in United avoiding defeat across their last seven matches.
We know he is capable to do that, he proved it in Spain, he proved it in the Champions League, so the highest level. So he could also do it in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said after Casemiro’s goal against Chelsea, which was his first for the club.
“But it’s clear the Premier League is a different league, especially with the intensity, so he needed a short period to adapt to that and now from game to game you see him growing, and how important it is for our game.”
So, how does Casemiro compare to the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders? The MEN have taken a closer look.
To begin with, the visual impression that Casemiro has made has ensured he’s already become a fan favourite at Old Trafford, but crucially, his statistics this season in the Premier League reaffirm the eye test, confirming just how much of an asset he is.
When analysing the defensive midfielders in the Premier League, Casemiro has averaged the most successful defensive actions per 90 (16.3) this term, ranking him ahead of Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara (16) and McTominay (15.2), interestingly, which highlights the standard of his performances and perhaps explains why Ten Hag was reluctant to take him out of a winning team.
Casemiro has also averaged the most interceptions per 90 (7.5) in the league, with McTominay not far behind him again (7.1).
United have been regularly linked with defensive midfielders over the last few years and it’s understood the club remain admirers of Declan Rice, but with West Ham demanding a fee in excess of £100million, it seemed logical to look elsewhere.
Casemiro won five Champions League titles and countless domestic honours during his time with Real Madrid and it’s no coincidence that he’s made such a seamless transition to the Premier League, comparing well against the division’s best players.
Although Casemiro is inferior to Rice on some defensive metrics, he’s averaged more ball recoveries in the opponents’ half, more interceptions and more successful defensive actions per 90 than the popular England international.
Casemiro’s statistics confirm what supporters are watching and he is making the wait for a defensive midfielder worth it.
