{"id":30581,"date":"2025-12-03T15:42:48","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T20:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/03\/amorim-says-future-100m-star-could-fix-manchester-uniteds-midfield-by-axing-casemiro\/"},"modified":"2025-12-03T15:42:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T20:42:48","slug":"amorim-says-future-100m-star-could-fix-manchester-uniteds-midfield-by-axing-casemiro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/03\/amorim-says-future-100m-star-could-fix-manchester-uniteds-midfield-by-axing-casemiro\/","title":{"rendered":"Amorim says &#8216;future \u00a3100m&#8217; star could fix Manchester United&#8217;s midfield by axing Casemiro"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/03\/amorim-says-future-100m-star-could-fix-manchester-uniteds-midfield-by-axing-casemiro\/#Why_Casemiro_can_struggle_with_pivots\" >Why Casemiro can struggle with pivots<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/03\/amorim-says-future-100m-star-could-fix-manchester-uniteds-midfield-by-axing-casemiro\/#Uniteds_established_replacement_for_Casemiro\" >United&#8217;s established replacement for Casemiro<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/03\/amorim-says-future-100m-star-could-fix-manchester-uniteds-midfield-by-axing-casemiro\/#Bruno_upgrade_Manchester_United_make_70m_bid_for_%E2%80%98the_most_complete_player_in_football\" >Bruno upgrade: Manchester United make \u00a370m bid for &#8216;the most complete player in football&#8217;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Manchester United&#8217;s midfield pivot appears to have found a formula that Ruben Amorim likes. The Portuguese manager&#8217;s infamous 3-4-2-1 has caused a lot of debate, and his wing-backs are one of those things.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>But his pivot configuration was also interesting. This season, the former Sporting manager appears to have found the ideal midfield pairing in captain Bruno Fernandes and experienced Casemiro.<\/p>\n<p>This is a new role for Fernandes, who has played as a number 10 for most of his career.<\/p>\n<p>    As for Casemiro, he has had good results this season. Still, he looked exposed at times against Crystal Palace at the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-casemiro-can-struggle-in-the-pivot\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Casemiro_can_struggle_with_pivots\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Why Casemiro can struggle with pivots<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Brazilian legend Casemiro has certainly adapted well to playing in Amorim&#8217;s system.<\/p>\n<p>Not too long ago, he was told by Jamie Carragher to &#8220;quit football before football takes you away&#8221;. He is now almost 34 years old and a regular starter for United.<\/p>\n<p>    Indeed, Amorim has put a lot of faith in the former Real Madrid star this season. He has appeared in 12 games in the Premier League, one of which he missed due to suspension.<\/p>\n<p>Since mid-September, he has started every game in the league where he has been able to play, and has also scored three goals.<\/p>\n<p>But there are also struggles that United&#8217;s number 18 goes through in midfield.<\/p>\n<p>Physically, Casemiro can be a bit behind the eight-ball and can be exposed, often being left in the dust and allowing opposing midfielders to run past him.<\/p>\n<p>    The 82-cap Brazil international faced a difficult first half against the Eagles last Sunday. As Goal journalist Callum Preston Kelly pointed out, he &#8220;struggled to stop Palace&#8217;s dominant play in the first half&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>The energetic duo of Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamata looked particularly &#8216;possessed&#8217; of their British opponents, yet were able to pass him by with much ease.<\/p>\n<p>    Perhaps this is an issue that Amorim hopes to nip in the bud soon. To have a real impact, personnel changes may occur.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"united-rsquo-s-ready-made-casemiro-alternative\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Uniteds_established_replacement_for_Casemiro\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>United&#8217;s established replacement for Casemiro <\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Amorim has options if he wants to change things up in midfield.<\/p>\n<p>Mason Mount played briefly alongside Bruno Fernandes away at Fulham earlier in the season, while Manuel Ugarte is also a player who could join the squad.<\/p>\n<p>Still, the obvious answer is Koby Mainu. Amorim has been dubbed a &#8220;future \u00a3100m+ footballer&#8221; by Alex Turk and continues to ignore his obvious talent despite starting the Euro 2024 final just 18 months ago.<\/p>\n<p>    It&#8217;s been a tough season for the Stockport-born midfielder. He has only played nine games in the Premier League and has yet to start a game.<\/p>\n<p>He played just 171 minutes, averaging 20 minutes per game.<\/p>\n<p>But don&#8217;t forget about the skills that Mynu has. He is a master in tight spaces and his carry ability allows him to break through the press and move forward.<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s smart off the ball and strong as a dueler. It was all on display in his Premier League debut against Everton, where he took 61 touches and won five duels.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"center\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>Mainu vs Everton &#8211; PL debut match<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>status<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>number<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>touch<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>61<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>Pass accuracy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>83%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>pass completed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>38\/46<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>Won a ground duel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>3\/5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>won an aerial battle<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>2\/3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>Number of balls collected<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>Dribbling completed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>2\/3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle\">\n<p>Sofascore statistics<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>The skills Mainu can bring to United&#8217;s axis will no doubt only benefit Amorim&#8217;s side. He is physically better than Casemiro and is unlikely to be overtaken.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to that, he could bring different qualities to the ball and add new dynamics to the midfield.<\/p>\n<p>    Moreover, he still has the same eye for goal as his fellow midfielders.<\/p>\n<p>Mainu has scored seven goals in a United shirt, with his most important goal coming in the 2023\/24 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.<\/p>\n<p>Mainu must seize his opportunities in United&#8217;s midfield quickly. Their number 37 just has to play football every week to continue on the same path he was on just a year ago.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, he was trusted to start England&#8217;s biggest game in years.<\/p>\n<p>    Casemiro has struggled at times in possession, but the starlet could be the answer to the Red Devils&#8217; midfield problems.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"bruno-upgrade-man-utd-make-bid-for-real-madrid-star-federico-valverde\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/man-utd-bruno-fernandes.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/man-utd-bruno-fernandes.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bruno_upgrade_Manchester_United_make_70m_bid_for_%E2%80%98the_most_complete_player_in_football\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tBruno upgrade: Manchester United make \u00a370m bid for &#8216;the most complete player in football&#8217;<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Manchester United could land the perfect midfield upgrade in 2026&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manchester United&#8217;s midfield pivot appears to have found a formula that Ruben Amorim likes. The Portuguese manager&#8217;s infamous 3-4-2-1 has caused a lot of debate, and his wing-backs are one of those things. But his pivot configuration was also interesting. This season, the former Sporting manager appears to have found the ideal midfield pairing in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30582,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[2777,246,7495,4068,210,40,1767,106,1575,86,2612],"class_list":{"0":"post-30581","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-100m","9":"tag-amorim","10":"tag-axing","11":"tag-casemiro","12":"tag-fix","13":"tag-football","14":"tag-future","15":"tag-manchester","16":"tag-midfield","17":"tag-star","18":"tag-uniteds"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30581"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30581\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}