Carragher said Man Utd star was "terrible", now he's Amorim's key player
Manchester United’s spell under Ruben Amorim has been largely unsuccessful, with the 40-year-old’s job even coming into question before his one-year anniversary in the role.
From 15th-placed Premier League finishes to Carabao Cup exits against League Two opposition, his tenure at Old Trafford has been far from what many supporters expected.
However, over the last couple of weeks, the 40-year-old has finally started to show glimpses of being a success in the role in the immediate and long-term future.
His men have now won three league games in a row, with Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest presenting the manager with the chance to extend such a run.
Some of the recent success has been down to the impact of the new summer additions, but also the transformation of numerous players already on the books prior to his appointment.
Man Utd players who have had a resurgence under Amorim
Amad Diallo was a player with a huge future at United after they forked out a reported £36m for his signature back in January 2021, but the early days of his stint in England were limited to say the least.
He was often utilised as a bench player under the guidance of former manager Erik ten Hag, but Amorim’s arrival sparked a newfound sense of belief in the Ivorian.
Since the manager’s arrival, the 23-year-old has operated in an unnatural wing-back role, but it’s allowed for consistent first-team minutes and a total of 20 combined goals and assists in his last 52 outings.
He’s not alone in turning his career at Old Trafford around, with centre-back Matthijs de Ligt often struggling to make the immediate impact many hoped for after his switch from Bayern Munich last summer.
The Dutch international was often called into question for his lack of defensive dominance, but he’s been a key component of Amorim’s side this campaign – subsequently playing every minute in the Premier League to date.
He’s made 1.7 tackles per 90 so far this campaign, along with 3.1 aerial duels won, tallies which have provided the side with the steel they were missing at the back last campaign.
Other players such as Luke Shaw and Mason Mount have also been regular starters throughout the early days of the season – potentially a surprise after being hounded by fans in 2024/25.
Such situations highlight the manager’s individual management with the players at his disposal, which has allowed for the Red Devils to endure a somewhat unfamiliar winning feeling as of late.
The United player who’s becoming one of their best in 2025/26
When you think of some of United’s best players in the current campaign, the imagination no doubt goes directly towards the £200m attacking trio who arrived this summer.
Bryan Mbeumo is just one of the attacking stars who has made an immediate impact at Old Trafford, as seen by his tally of five goals in his first ten outings for the club.
Bruno Fernandes is no doubt another that springs to mind, and understandably so, especially after the club captain registered 37 combined goals and assists last season.
However, the Portuguese international has since dropped into a deeper role, subsequently allowing the likes of Mbeumo to operate in the number ten role in the 3-4-2-1 system.
As a result, Amorim has had to find a dominant ball-winner to operate alongside Bruno, with the 40-year-old decided to utilise the experienced Casemiro in such a role.
The 33-year-old joined in a £60m deal from Real Madrid back in the summer of 2022, with real hope of handing the Red Devils the top-level star they craved in the middle of the park.
However, his stint in England has been largely topsy-turvy, with his disciplinary record of four red cards often holding him back from being a reliable option.
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher even called the Brazilian “terrible” back in September 2023 – before his infamous ‘leave the football’ quotes in May 2024 – with many expecting the player to depart the Theatre of Dreams during the recent window.
Despite such criticism, Casemiro has managed to transform his career in the Premier League, now appearing in all but one league outing of the 2025/26 campaign.
Casemiro – PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
8
Goals & assists
3
Pass accuracy
83%
Tackles made
3.1
Ball recoveries
5.3
Duels won
60%
Aerials won
1.6
Fouls won
1.2
Stats via FotMob
Whilst working out of possession is largely his responsibility, he’s managed to star with the ball at his feet – scoring twice and notching one assist in his eight appearances.
He’s also managed to make 3.1 tackles and 5.3 ball recoveries per 90 – highlighting his defensive talent, which has so often been called into question in recent years.
Other tallies, such as 60% duels won and 1.6 aerials won per 9,0 further showcase his dominant ability – making him the perfect partner alongside Bruno at present.
Casemiro deserves huge credit for his recent revival under Amorim, subsequently going from a certain exit to now being one of the club’s most important players.
The duo’s partnership at the heart of the side could allow for a successful 2025/26 campaign and kickstart the manager’s tenure at Old Trafford.
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