Manchester United had just started the new Premier League season with a disappointing defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford. Poor performance overall and the department that limped the most was the midfield. Already, fans tired of the long-running partnership between Fred and McTominay were calling for changes in the troubled department. A few hours after the defeat, a controversial name appears on the scene for the midfield. Adrien Rabiot. The Frenchman’s transition to the “Red Devils” was contested, whether for his whims, the minimal contribution with the Juventus shirt, but above all, his behavior in the dressing room was contested, but United urgently needed a midfielder.
For 15 million pounds, an agreement was reached between Juventus and Manchester United for the transfer of the midfielder, negotiations between the clubs were not a problem, moreover, the 27-year-old was not in Allegri’s plans. There was only one hitch. Personal agreement with the player and his mother, who simultaneously plays the role of Adrien’s agent. It all seemed over until Rabiot’s mother Veronique revealed the high financial claims more than first expected. The Frenchman’s move was not well received by United’s board, who decided to abandon the signing of Rabiot and set their sights on other targets.
Week two of the Premier League. The “Red Devils” were embarrassed in London against Brentford, losing 4-0. The need for a defensive midfielder kept getting bigger and bigger. Like a bolt in the open sky, the winner of five Champions League trophies with Real Madrid jersey, Casemiro, appears on the scene. The established player of the Brazilian national team expresses his desire to leave Los Blancos. No player can stay with the Merengues club against their will. Manchester United chief executive Richard Arnold and technical director John Murtough immediately traveled to Madrid.
Negotiations last a few days. £70million for the 30-year-old is thought to be enough for Florentino Perez to let go of one of the mainstays of the team’s dominant era in Europe. After a slow start to life in Manchester, Casemiro showed typical South American determination to adapt as quickly as possible. Erik ten Hag turned it on in the final minutes when United needed to manage wins over Southampton, Leicester and Arsenal.
As a starter for the first time in the Premier League goes down to Goodison Park against Everton revitalized with strength and energy with Frank Lampark. Casemiro helps the team get the three points and assists Ronaldo for the winning goal. The influence is strengthened even more in the direct confrontation against Tottenham. Strong, good distributor of play and excellent link between the midfield and attack departments and Harry Kane and Heung Min-Son coming off fantastic runs had a quiet evening. Unanimously, Casemiro’s performance at Stamford Bridge is the best so far in a Man Utd shirt. The Brazilian is giving Manchester United more than expected, this time a decisive contribution in the meeting against Chelsea.
Each of Casemiro’s passes was accurate, he did not suffer for a moment the high intensity of the challenge and in the most decisive moment of the match he appeared as the protagonist and scored the equalizing goal when Atëell’s final signal was about to go. Shaë’s cross could not have been better used and the ball was simply destined to go in, despite Kepa trying to keep it off the fatal line. The Brazilian’s goal is decisive for a precious point in the capital against Chelsea.
Man of the match and the performances that come and go. Manchester United has been struggling for years for a defensive midfielder. High expectations were never met by Nemanja Matic, Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini. Money spent but nothing in return. The midfielder who came from Brazil, trained in Porto and perfected in Madrid awakens a strong sense of nostalgia in Man.Utd fans. They are not seeing Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes or even Roy Keane on the field, but Casemiro. And for that reason, Manchester United owe a lot to Véronique Rabiot for blocking her son Adrien’s move to Old Trafford.
