Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Just a matter of time for Casemiro, as Paul Scholes reveals surprise at Man Utd man’s traits

Casemiro Man Utd September 2022

Paul Scholes believes new Manchester United signing Casemiro has surprised him with his range of passing, but says the midfielder will have to be patient to become a first-team regular.

The Brazilian was a shock signing for Erik ten Hag last month. United had spent all summer trying to get their hands on Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona. But as soon as they finally realised a deal with Barca was not going to happen, they switched targets.

Adrien Rabiot was also approached, but that deal quickly collapsed leaving United pushing for Casemiro.

Manchester United confirmed the signing of Casemiro from Real Madrid in a deal worth £70m on August 23. The classy midfielder signed a four-year contract with the option of a further 12 months at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag described him as “the cement between the stones” in midfield. But that ‘cement’ has yet to start a game in the Premier League.

Casemiro has made three sub appearances in the league, which has coincided with three wins.

Ten Hag did give him a start in the Europa League against Real Sociedad and het got a run-out in Thursday’s win over Sheriff.

Scholes though is not surprised Casemiro has not forced his way into Ten Hag’s starting XI.

Scott McTominay has raised his level and he has been the man Ten Hag has gone to alongside Christian Eriksen.

Quality 

“It’s not as such as a surprise now [he’s left out] because of those four games [in the league],” Scholes told BT Sport. “I thought he [Ten Hag] was always going to pick his Premier League team.

“Casemiro, we know the quality he’s got and he’ll have to work his way into that team. He did okay, just okay, last week – he’s clever, he’s experienced.

“Eventually he will work his way into this team, but he’s going to have to wait a little bit.”

Scholes accepts that Casemiro did not play well enough against Sociedad to force his way into the team, but aspects of his play have surprised the former United star.

“He surprised me a little bit with his forward passing, his range of passing,” Scholes told BT Sport.

“I thought he was more of a winner, getting the ball back in midfield. It was Kroos and Modric last year; he has more to his game and showed more of a range to his game.

Casemiro stats 

“That’s his first game for some time and I think he will, eventually, with the quality he’s got, work his way into the team.”

His time may come quickly too after an impressive showing in the second half against Sheriff. Casemiro replaced  McTominay at half-time as United won 2-o with first-half goals from Jadon Sancho and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty.

But while United only drew 0-0 in the second half, Casemiro’s stats were impressive.

He had a 90% pass accuracy and had 58 touches of the ball from his deep midfield role. He also made 37 passes and completed six out of the eight long balls he attempted.

His tackling was also good with a 66 per cent success rate from the six tackles he attempted.

The Sao Paulo-born player also made three interceptions and made one crucial clearance.

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