Ruben Amorim showcases tactical nous to reinvent Casemiro at Manchester United
Manchester United have endured one of their most disappointing Premier League campaigns in recent memory. However, their performances in the UEFA Europa League have offered a much-needed source of optimism for fans. A commanding 3-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the semi-final at San Mamés, featuring a brace from Bruno Fernandes and a goal from Casemiro, has extended United’s unbeaten run in Europe and positioned them as strong favourites to reach the final.
With a pivotal summer transfer window approaching, the Red Devils are expected to undergo significant squad changes. Among the players reportedly facing an uncertain future is Casemiro, the experienced Brazilian defensive midfielder signed from Real Madrid. While early reports suggested he could be on his way out, his recent resurgence in form, particularly in high-stakes European fixtures, may be forcing Rúben Amorim and the club’s decision-makers to reconsider his role in the evolving project at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim adjusted tactics to suit Casemiro’s strengths
According to Manchester Evening News, Ruben Amorim praised Casemiro after the match against Bilbao but also explained how they are adapting his role. He said they realised Casemiro can’t be expected to press high all the time, it’s just not where he’s most effective anymore. Instead, Amorim is adjusting the system to support him better, sometimes using three defenders so Casemiro can sit deeper as a fourth while letting the wing-backs press higher up the pitch.
Amorim also made it clear that while the team is still learning and evolving in response to criticism, much of the credit goes to Casemiro for embracing the tactical adjustments and doing what’s required for the collective good. It was a respectful nod to the Brazilian’s professionalism, maturity, and enduring value to the squad. Even as the system shifts around him, Casemiro’s willingness to adapt underscores why he remains a vital presence on and off the pitch, both as a stabilising anchor in midfield and as a mentor for United’s younger players.
“Then we understood that he cannot jump all the time pressing high. We need to let him understand and sometimes it is better to put three defenders and let him be the fourth defender and put the wing-backs pressing high. These are all things we are understanding and trying to cope with all the criticisms of the team. But the credit is for Casemiro.”
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From a Manchester United perspective, Rúben Amorim’s handling of Casemiro highlights the kind of smart, adaptive management the club has long been missing. Instead of demanding high-intensity pressing from a player whose strengths now lie elsewhere, Amorim is reshaping the system to accommodate and protect Casemiro’s qualities.
This level of tactical flexibility and understanding of individual player profiles is a refreshing shift from the rigid approaches of recent years. By valuing experience while building a balanced, coherent team, Amorim is offering real signs that this project is heading in a promising direction, something United fans have been desperate to see.