Casemiro’s performance at Manchester United is quite good. The Brazilian defensive midfielder will turn 34 in a few months and has enjoyed a great spell with the Red Devils this season. After a somewhat disappointing 2024/25 campaign that saw many question the legitimacy of his move to the Red Devils, Casemiro has been a regular fixture in the starting XI. Casemiro’s form is one of the reasons why United have improved this season.

The Brazilian excelled in a somewhat challenging defensive midfield role alongside Bruno Fernandez. He doesn’t usually play a full game these days, but his impact is still quite strong. Casemiro’s improvement in status is definitely good news for the Red Devils.

Casemiro’s form is now good for both club and country

Casemiro has played 10 games for Manchester United this season and scored 3 goals, providing a solid guarantee for the team’s defense. The Brazilian is a perennial threat from set pieces and loves to score from free kicks heading into the opposition box.

The 33-year-old Brazilian scored a goal from a free kick in a recent international friendly against Senegal. Brazil won the game 2-0, continuing their recent good performance against Carlo Ancelotti. Casemiro is currently Brazil’s most experienced player, having played 81 times for the Brazilian team. His rich experience will be needed for next year’s World Cup.

If you compare Casemiro’s performance at Real Madrid and Manchester United, you will find that his goal percentage is higher at Manchester United. He scored 20 goals in 135 games for Manchester United, a better ratio than 31 goals in 336 games for Real Madrid.

He suddenly wasn’t as quick as he had been at Real Madrid, and his achievements couldn’t compare to those of a player at Madrid, where he won every possible honor as a footballer. He plays in a midfield three for Real Madrid, surrounded by top players such as the recently retired Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Kroos stayed in the backcourt most of the time, which meant Casemiro had company in stopping the opposition’s attacks.

In contrast, he had to share more of the workload at Manchester United because he played in a two-man midfield and Bruno Fernandes was not a suitable defensive player. Toni Kroos is a better defensive player than Bruno Fernandez, meaning Casemiro has a tougher job at his current club.

Will Elliot Anderson replace Casemiro?

With Manuel Ugarte failing to impress and Kobe Mainu no longer falling out of favor with Ruben Amorim, United may need a defensive midfielder to fill long-term needs. Casemiro’s contract expires in 2026, so the Red Devils are reportedly considering Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as his long-term replacement.

Until he leaves, however, only players of his caliber can continue to contribute to the club. Manchester United will target a place in European football next season and in order to achieve this goal, Casemiro must maintain his current form.

The next year or so will be crucial for the Brazilian to improve his legacy as a footballer. Whether he can do that in this timeframe remains to be seen.