Gary Neville insists Manchester United were still right to let Casemiro go at the end of the season, despite the midfielder re-establishing himself as one of Michael Carrick’s most important players in Champions League football promotion.
The Brazilian opened the scoring in United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa, making him on the scoresheet for the second consecutive game. This result gives them a three-point lead over Unai Emery’s team in the battle for third place.
Despite being rumored to be leaving the club in the past two summers, Casemiro remained at Old Trafford and has been an integral part of United’s turnaround under Carrick, starting each of their last 13 Premier League games. His seven goals are the best return of the season.
It was announced in January that the 34-year-old would be leaving United at the end of his contract, but his recent form has led fans to call for him to remain beyond the summer. Despite this, and despite his positive impact on the team, Neville still believes allowing Casemiro to leave was the right decision.
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Casemiro is leading Manchester United against Aston Villa in the Premier League.
“Obviously Manchester United bought him late in his career. He’s an extraordinary central midfield player and played in one of the most dominant midfields I’ve ever seen at Real Madrid,” said Gary Neville on the Gary Neville Podcast.
“But United were right to let him go and he was right to leave United. This is like a cameo at the end of his career. It’s like a swan song that he probably loved every minute of, and you can see that.”
“He’s kissing the badge to the fans. They love him dearly and it’s right for him to leave at the end of the season.”
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Watch for free: Premier League match highlights between Manchester United and Aston Villa.
“His legs let him down at times. What I’m saying is there was a period in the middle of his four-year contract when he looked heavier, but I don’t know what happened there.”
“I don’t know if it’s because of the training or what’s happened to him or something else. But he looks healthier, he looks leaner, he looks more free and he looks like he’s doing a great job.”
Casemiro remains ‘underinvested’
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Jamie Carragher has admitted he was wrong about Casemiro after claiming he had “gone off football” two years ago at the start of this season.
Despite his contribution to United’s Champions League qualification and highlights including his goal in the 2023 Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle, Neville believes there is still not enough investment in the holding midfielder.
Under manager Erik ten Hag, United paid the Brazilian, one of the club’s highest-paid players, an initial fee of £60 million and an additional £10 million.
Neville added: “This has nothing to do with Casemiro. It has to do with poor recruiting at Man United over the years and them overpaying.”
“They have invested £140m in Casemiro, a £20m annual salary and a £60m signing bonus, but this is not a wise move because they would be losing him for nothing.
“When you spend £140m over four years on a midfield player, you would expect him to have some residual value at the end of it. You wouldn’t expect him to have his career cut short. It’s not the kind of deal they would do now.”
“It’s not a huge investment at £140 million, but that’s not Casemiro’s fault.”
Casemiro hasn’t lost his golden touch
Michael Carrick and Casemiro celebrate Manchester United’s win against Aston Villa
Analysis by Laura Hunter of Sky Sports:
On a day when Bruno Fernandes came close to breaking the Premier League assist record in the win over Villa, Michael Carrick was asked as many questions about the outgoing Casemiro’s contribution as he was about his captain.
Along with Fernandes, the Brazilian was another player who led by example. Finding himself the most advanced midfielder for the majority of matches, his four touches inside the opposition box were second only to Amad (7) among United internationals, and he fought more duels (12) than any other.
His stunning header broke a deadlock in a close match and gave Carrick a vital lead. And the link with Fernandes was evident in United’s second goal, when Matheus Cunha fed the playmaker the ball before finishing. Carrick spoke passionately of the understanding between the two after the game.
Fernandes is able to play his role so effectively thanks to a defense at the back where Casemiro and Coby Mainu are the perfect blend of experience and youth. The 34-year-old’s Goal xG (0.68) was the sixth-highest among players who played at least 20 minutes through Game 30.
He may be nearing the end of his time at United, but he plans to leave in good spirits. Ending with such a high score is perhaps the most fitting finish for a player who has achieved more than ever in this match.
United lose key piece in rejuvenated Casemiro
Analysis by Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop:
Gary Neville says Manchester United need to sign two midfielders to build on what Michael Carrick has started as interim manager. And that’s true whether Casemiro leaves the club or not.
His departure will force the team to prioritize two players instead of one this summer. Because the impact he’s having probably can’t be replicated by one player.
Casemiro was a breath of fresh air in his first season at Old Trafford. Combatant and composed, he’s looking for goals and passes, but he might have been missed playing next to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
The next 18 months were even tougher. He looked unfit, even overweight at times, and was too exposed under Ten Hag and later Ruben Amorim.
Something has changed this season. Amorim personally imposed individual fitness plans on his players ahead of pre-season, and while it is claimed that it worked for Casemiro, the system never suited his profile.
As Neville said, he has become leaner, more mobile and more effective at both ends of the pitch.
Defensively, the veteran ranks among the top three holding midfielders in the league in tackles, interceptions and possessions gained in all thirds of the pitch.
With the ball in his hands, he generated more passes, was involved in more touches, and posted a top-10 pass completion percentage than any other player.
Add to that his threat in the area. His six goals from set pieces are more than any other player this season. And the nature of some of those goals is important. In five of the seven games in which he scored, United would have lost points without his contribution.
These are all incredibly valuable statistics. And what cannot be measured is experience. Mainu couldn’t have asked for a better mentor, so he must soak up all the knowledge he can over the next few months.
