Manchester United s shocking reversal: the former "abandoned general" has become the only true core, who dares to criticize him?

When Amorim looked back at the rock bottom that the veteran Champions League veteran had fallen into, he said frankly: "At first he was at the bottom of the midfield rankings, even behind Toby." Toby Collier, now on loan to West Bromwich Albion in the British Championship, has made more substitute appearances than starts - this is such a player who was once ahead of Casemiro in Manchester United's rankings.

This is just part of Casemiro's humiliating decline. After Amorim took office, he quickly moved Casemiro to the bottom of the team. There was a more symbolic scene in the Ten Hag era: In the 0-3 defeat to Liverpool, Casemiro was responsible for two conceding goals and was replaced at halftime. It was Collier who replaced him. That seemed to be the lowest point of Casemiro's personal career.

Even in the autumn of 2024, during Ruud van Nistelrooy's brief coaching period, Casemiro showed signs of brief recovery, but at that time I am afraid no one could have expected that the stands of the Dream Theater would sing for him again. However, during last Saturday's 4-2 win over Brighton, chants of "Casemiro" rang out across Old Trafford.

"He worked hard and now he is back in the national team," Amorim said. "He is crucial to us. Last Saturday he made an amazing run, pressing high and quickly returning to defense, and he did it. I am very satisfied with him. Other players should really take a look at Casemiro's performance."

One year later, Manchester United faces a new problem regarding Casemiro. If many Manchester United coaches at different times had considered him embarrassing and useless; then now, they have found that the team cannot do without him. The data speaks for itself.

The change in momentum of last Saturday's game is also evident: when Amorim replaced Casemiro with Menu, Manchester United led 3-0 and the situation seemed easy. However, the team immediately lost control. Even though the coach later sent Ugarte to strengthen the midfield, Brighton still almost tied the score to 3-3, which to a certain extent also reflected Menu's poor performance in this game.

Six days ago, Manchester United kept a clean sheet when Casemiro was replaced at Anfield. The subsequent goals conceded may be attributed to Liverpool's comprehensive attack, but one fact is: in the 128 minutes Casemiro was on the court against Liverpool and Brighton, the Manchester United goal was never scored. In the 52 minutes after he came off the field, the goal guarded by goalkeeper Lambs failed three times.

There is a broader trend behind this. United have not conceded a goal when Casemiro is on the pitch since August and have conceded just three goals in the games he has played this season. Although there were factors such as his receiving a red card against Chelsea (being sent off before Chelsea scored), and then missing the loss to Brentford due to suspension, looking at all 10 games of Manchester United this season:

In the 463 minutes Casemiro was on the court, the team only conceded 3 goals, averaging one goal every 154 minutes; while in the 437 minutes he was absent, the team conceded 13 goals, averaging one goal every 33 minutes. Is this a coincidence? Almost impossible. Is this a compliment to him and a criticism of others? There is no doubt about it.

Menu was in trouble under Amorim and often looked lost on the field. Ugarte cannot compare with Casemiro in terms of ball-holding ability. Since Amorim adopts a 3-4-3 formation, the midfield duo often have to face three opponents, and Manchester United always faces the risk of playing more with less in the center.

There is no hiding place in the midfield; if you lose momentum, the game may be lost. And when Casemiro's partner is Bruno Fernandez, who has strong attacking tendencies, the burden on his shoulders is even heavier.

However, for a nearly 34-year-old veteran who is in a high-pressing system, such a heavy burden may be why Amorim believes that Casemiro can no longer play the entire game. He has yet to play a full game for Manchester United this season.

There is a huge gap between Ugarte and Menu - or at least Menu in his current form, given his poor performance last Saturday and his continued struggles under Amorim - and Casemiro's level. Manchester United were interested in Brighton's Baleba this summer, but strangely, instead of strengthening their midfield, they chose to sign three forwards. This makes Casemiro even more critical.

Amorim's squad has depth in certain positions - most notably the No. 10 and centre-back, where they will have five or six reliable options once Lisandro Martinez recovers - but there is a serious lack of depth in goalkeeper, perhaps wing-back (where Pedokou could cause chaos when he comes on), and most crucially, the defensive midfielder position.

This is a hidden danger for Manchester United, which has a relatively loose schedule. "Playing every week is a huge advantage and we have to take advantage of it," Amorim said. But a month later, they face three games a week (against Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Wolves). Four consecutive games will be played within 11/12 days after Christmas (against Newcastle, Wolves, Leeds United and Burnley).

And their core, Casemiro, is currently enjoying a "personal renaissance" of playing about 60 minutes a week. But he was just two yellow cards away from his next suspension. In the two games he missed (against Grimsby and Brentford), United's performance was a disaster.

During most of Amorim's coaching tenure, it was difficult for Manchester United to win. Now, when Casemiro is off the court, it becomes more difficult to keep the fruits of victory; and if he is completely lost, winning seems even more difficult. Casemiro has stepped down from the "pillar of shame" in the past and has become a truly indispensable presence in Manchester United.