Casemiro makes bold Ruben Amorim claim ahead of Manchester United start

Casemiro has said Ruben Amorim has already proved his credentials to the Manchester United squad and feels confident the incoming head coach can bring the club back to the ‘top table’.

Amorim’s tenure as United boss officially begins today (Monday) with the Portuguese coach set to travel to Manchester. He has already confirmed his plans to speak to Ruud van Nistelrooy about his future and can visit Carrington for meetings, but will not be permitted to oversee training until his visa is approved.

Once Amorim does finally get on the training pitch - and can work with his full squad after the international break - implementing his tactical philosophy will be among his priorities. An inability to impose a defined style on the team was a major criticism of Erik ten Hag, as was his confrontational style.

It’s hoped that won’t be the case for the charismatic Amorim, who showed his astute tactical approach last week when Sporting Lisbon beat Manchester City 4-2. The early signs are positive.

“Everyone speaks so well of him,” said Casemiro, in the wake of Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City. “Above all he is very true, very loyal. We cannot ignore how he has changed Sporting. We know that Sporting won many titles, [he] changed the club with titles, with trophies. He has already proved that he [is a] coach that has won a lot.

“I think there is going to be a good template that everyone wants to grow, everyone wants to learn. I think that is the way to first help us grow to be at the top of the table.”

Casemiro, a five-time European champion who has accumulated 75 caps for Brazil, is not used to the mediocre results and performances he has experienced since joined United in 2022. last season’s eighth-place finish was not expected when he signed, and the 32-year-old said he hopes Amorim’s arrival heralds the start of an exciting new era at United.

“We have to keep improving. We have the players to do that. We have to keep growing,” said Casemiro. “Now comes the international break, then the most important part of the season, when there are many matches and when all players are needed. 

“We are seeing players injured [return], so that is important. That is important because now, after the break, we have the most difficult stretch of the season.”

Casemiro, who feels like he has enjoyed a ‘good’ start to the season, put in an impressive display in the win over Leicester. Often United’s midfield structure was a point of criticism under Ten Hag, but it looked much more secure with the ex-Real Madrid lining up alongside Manuel Ugarte on Sunday.

“I have a good connection with him [Ugarte],” Casemiro opined. “When one goes forward, the other covers, and vice versa. That is how it has to be, one compliments the other. I think the other games have been like this.

“He is a great person. He's a good kind of person. He has total respect, not only mine, but all the players. And well, it is good for us to have good players, so we have a much better squad.”