There's a little piece of analysis from Jamie Redknapp where he says Casemiro looks like he's playing at Soccer Aid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVOt_jvzbqY
I couldn't agree more. I said on here many months ago that the way Casemiro has played for us - including at times last season - that he sort of looks like he's just having fun and on a bit of a jolly-up out on the pitch; sliding around nowhere near anyone, strolling about, trying all sorts of passes that are at the very limits of his technical ability, letting people run off or past him regularly.
None of our players are pulling up trees and the way we're playing as a collective is the core issue, but some of the stuff we're seeing from individuals of supposedly world class pedigree like Casemiro is unforgivable. The way he's playing is bizarre, frankly. He looks done, to be honest - certainly he's not any kind of answer to a more expansive and transitional team in a fast paced league.
We desperately need to upgrade the CM area this summer. Someone who provides the aerial ability and combative, dual winning abilities of Casemiro (at his best), but with extra athleticism and reliability/class in possession of the ball. Personally I've been hugely impressed with Amadou Onana at Everton whenever I've seen him and for me he ticks all the boxes. He reminds me of a more combative and defensively astute version of Paul Pogba with his physique, skill on the ball, ability in the air and AWB-esque tackling. Has shades of Vieira as well when he drives with the ball. I'm struggling to think of any other central midfielder player that possesses as many of the qualities we lack in one package at Onana. Plus he's young and has his best years ahead of him.
What would you be doing with Casemiro this summer? Offload? Keep for another year but look to bring in some proper competition/successor or hope we see him rejuvenated after a full preseason and finding his feet after an injury-hit campaign?
Casemiro
posted on 14/4/24
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
Berbaking, I haven't watched a great deal of Onana but he has impressed me too. I think it's equally important that we address the athletic shortfall of our team as the technical one, and Onana certainly does the former. Also read somewhere (can't recall where) an analysis of the growing importance of a profile of midfielder who can cover a lot of space: players with a lot of stamina and a long stride to eat up gaps. I guess where the game often pivots on those margins of how much you can commit to the press up front while retaining solid rest defence, the variable of how much space your midfield can patrol is pretty important. Onana looks like quite a strong added value player from this perspective.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Definitely. Especially as Mainoo is not an all action, energetic type of CM himself, so you need to have someone who has a sixth sense for covering ground in the defensive sense as well as having the athleticism to execute it. Rice is absolutely one who does this very well.
I assume it's also a key reason we signed Mount (though we seemingly didn't do our diligence when it came to injuries).
posted on 14/4/24
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 13 minutes ago
I'm not sure about Joao Gomes myself, not a huge fan of what I've seen of him in possession. I'd value his defensive qualities and hard working nature more than I would his progressive/playmaking ability.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's my initial impression based on limited viewing, though I don't see that as a bad thing per see as long as the other midfield options counter balance the ball-playing deficiencies.
For argument's sake... If we did sign Gomes and Onana (I'm not expecting us to, but let's run with it), then with Maino and Mount as well, that's suddenly looking more energetic, more athletic and more cute in possession than what we currently have. But it also still looks a little light in numbers, especially given Mount's injury concerns. I know Bruno and McT are also in the mix, but neither of them are proper CM's and frankly I'd not be sorry to see the back of them both as well!
posted on 14/4/24
That's my initial impression based on limited viewing, though I don't see that as a bad thing per see as long as the other midfield options counter balance the ball-playing deficiencies.
For argument's sake... If we did sign Gomes and Onana (I'm not expecting us to, but let's run with it), then with Maino and Mount as well, that's suddenly looking more energetic, more athletic and more cute in possession than what we currently have. But it also still looks a little light in numbers, especially given Mount's injury concerns. I know Bruno and McT are also in the mix, but neither of them are proper CM's and frankly I'd not be sorry to see the back of them both as well!
-------------------------------------------
posted on 14/4/24
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
comment by The Mainoo Man (U23147)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Robb Garnacho (U22716)
posted 33 seconds ago
For some reason Ten Hag is persisting with a man marking tactic with our midfield which needs everything to go perfectly for it to work. But it’s so easy to pull out of place when up against a half decent midfield that knows how to draw our midfielders out of position leaving it so easy for opposition players to charge through like a train.
Probably the game where our midfield were embarrassed the most was the Fulham at home one where I watched a specific highlight package of the midfield being constantly overrun and it went for like 5 mins.
So Casemiro may or may not be the problem but if he’s being asked to follow one specific player and he’s not that kind of midfielder you can see why he may struggle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Casemiro is certainly not suited to man marking and being pulled around. Cas is at his absolute best defending in small central spaces between the lines. He's world class operating in those areas where he can engage opponents at close quarters with his aggressive tackling.
That said, if you watch the clip Redknapp highlights, we're talking about simply shuffling over 5-10 yards with the the play to close space and be equipped to support a team mate in a dangerous moment. All run of the mill stuff for any decent defensive midfielder at any level of the game. And Casemiro just doesn't do it. And it's been like this for a while now. That's not a system issue, that's individuals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So you are saying Casemiro isn't even at the level of an average lro footballer?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No, you idiot. I'm saying that he's regularly not doing stuff that is expected of him, such as in the highlighted clip. Stuff that he would ordinarily be doing, and has made a career out of doing to a very high level, but for some reason isn't doing very well at the moment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying an injury, but having to play due to lack of options.
posted on 14/4/24
He’s started to resemble Fellaini.
posted on 14/4/24
comment by The Mainoo Man (U23147)
posted 2 hours, 18 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
comment by The Mainoo Man (U23147)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Robb Garnacho (U22716)
posted 33 seconds ago
For some reason Ten Hag is persisting with a man marking tactic with our midfield which needs everything to go perfectly for it to work. But it’s so easy to pull out of place when up against a half decent midfield that knows how to draw our midfielders out of position leaving it so easy for opposition players to charge through like a train.
Probably the game where our midfield were embarrassed the most was the Fulham at home one where I watched a specific highlight package of the midfield being constantly overrun and it went for like 5 mins.
So Casemiro may or may not be the problem but if he’s being asked to follow one specific player and he’s not that kind of midfielder you can see why he may struggle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Casemiro is certainly not suited to man marking and being pulled around. Cas is at his absolute best defending in small central spaces between the lines. He's world class operating in those areas where he can engage opponents at close quarters with his aggressive tackling.
That said, if you watch the clip Redknapp highlights, we're talking about simply shuffling over 5-10 yards with the the play to close space and be equipped to support a team mate in a dangerous moment. All run of the mill stuff for any decent defensive midfielder at any level of the game. And Casemiro just doesn't do it. And it's been like this for a while now. That's not a system issue, that's individuals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So you are saying Casemiro isn't even at the level of an average lro footballer?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No, you idiot. I'm saying that he's regularly not doing stuff that is expected of him, such as in the highlighted clip. Stuff that he would ordinarily be doing, and has made a career out of doing to a very high level, but for some reason isn't doing very well at the moment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying an injury, but having to play due to lack of options.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You are determined with the injury conspiracy arent you.
Why does TH play Casemiro with an injury and not the other options whos are also 'injured'. Especilly in meaningless league games knowing that there is a semi and probably a final coming up. Its a brave or stupid strategy to play your best players injured with a cup final around the corner to come.
The truth is thst he cant run due to sleep depravation. He lies awake all night worrying how crap United are. Hes facked in the daytime.
posted on 14/4/24
comment by RB&W -Same Place-Same Club-Same Man (U21434)
posted 3 hours, 17 minutes ago
comment by The Mainoo Man (U23147)
posted 2 hours, 18 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
comment by The Mainoo Man (U23147)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Robb Garnacho (U22716)
posted 33 seconds ago
For some reason Ten Hag is persisting with a man marking tactic with our midfield which needs everything to go perfectly for it to work. But it’s so easy to pull out of place when up against a half decent midfield that knows how to draw our midfielders out of position leaving it so easy for opposition players to charge through like a train.
Probably the game where our midfield were embarrassed the most was the Fulham at home one where I watched a specific highlight package of the midfield being constantly overrun and it went for like 5 mins.
So Casemiro may or may not be the problem but if he’s being asked to follow one specific player and he’s not that kind of midfielder you can see why he may struggle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Casemiro is certainly not suited to man marking and being pulled around. Cas is at his absolute best defending in small central spaces between the lines. He's world class operating in those areas where he can engage opponents at close quarters with his aggressive tackling.
That said, if you watch the clip Redknapp highlights, we're talking about simply shuffling over 5-10 yards with the the play to close space and be equipped to support a team mate in a dangerous moment. All run of the mill stuff for any decent defensive midfielder at any level of the game. And Casemiro just doesn't do it. And it's been like this for a while now. That's not a system issue, that's individuals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So you are saying Casemiro isn't even at the level of an average lro footballer?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No, you idiot. I'm saying that he's regularly not doing stuff that is expected of him, such as in the highlighted clip. Stuff that he would ordinarily be doing, and has made a career out of doing to a very high level, but for some reason isn't doing very well at the moment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying an injury, but having to play due to lack of options.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You are determined with the injury conspiracy arent you.
Why does TH play Casemiro with an injury and not the other options whos are also 'injured'. Especilly in meaningless league games knowing that there is a semi and probably a final coming up. Its a brave or stupid strategy to play your best players injured with a cup final around the corner to come.
The truth is thst he cant run due to sleep depravation. He lies awake all night worrying how crap United are. Hes facked in the daytime.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Same way Rashford played on with his bad back under Ole. Short term thinking.
posted on 14/4/24
comment by The Mainoo Man (U23147)
posted 35 minutes ago
comment by RB&W -Same Place-Same Club-Same Man (U21434)
posted 3 hours, 17 minutes ago
comment by The Mainoo Man (U23147)
posted 2 hours, 18 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 1 hour, 17 minutes ago
comment by The Mainoo Man (U23147)
posted 16 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Robb Garnacho (U22716)
posted 33 seconds ago
For some reason Ten Hag is persisting with a man marking tactic with our midfield which needs everything to go perfectly for it to work. But it’s so easy to pull out of place when up against a half decent midfield that knows how to draw our midfielders out of position leaving it so easy for opposition players to charge through like a train.
Probably the game where our midfield were embarrassed the most was the Fulham at home one where I watched a specific highlight package of the midfield being constantly overrun and it went for like 5 mins.
So Casemiro may or may not be the problem but if he’s being asked to follow one specific player and he’s not that kind of midfielder you can see why he may struggle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Casemiro is certainly not suited to man marking and being pulled around. Cas is at his absolute best defending in small central spaces between the lines. He's world class operating in those areas where he can engage opponents at close quarters with his aggressive tackling.
That said, if you watch the clip Redknapp highlights, we're talking about simply shuffling over 5-10 yards with the the play to close space and be equipped to support a team mate in a dangerous moment. All run of the mill stuff for any decent defensive midfielder at any level of the game. And Casemiro just doesn't do it. And it's been like this for a while now. That's not a system issue, that's individuals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So you are saying Casemiro isn't even at the level of an average lro footballer?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No, you idiot. I'm saying that he's regularly not doing stuff that is expected of him, such as in the highlighted clip. Stuff that he would ordinarily be doing, and has made a career out of doing to a very high level, but for some reason isn't doing very well at the moment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying an injury, but having to play due to lack of options.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You are determined with the injury conspiracy arent you.
Why does TH play Casemiro with an injury and not the other options whos are also 'injured'. Especilly in meaningless league games knowing that there is a semi and probably a final coming up. Its a brave or stupid strategy to play your best players injured with a cup final around the corner to come.
The truth is thst he cant run due to sleep depravation. He lies awake all night worrying how crap United are. Hes facked in the daytime.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Same way Rashford played on with his bad back under Ole. Short term thinking.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
what injury is Casemiro playing with. Where is your source for this information. You are just making this up.
He's just playing badly and carelessly and he isnt the only one in the team, He openly admits this and he doesnt know why. And claims he is losing sleep about it.
posted on 14/4/24
He is playing through an injury. I'm sure itl come out eventually.
posted on 14/4/24
comment by The Mainoo Man (U23147)
posted 1 minute ago
He is playing through an injury. I'm sure itl come out eventually.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
WTF do you know about it.You are just guessing, because you probably heard somebody else day it.
And with Rashford it was his shoulder injury he chose himself to play through. Not his back injury.