Ruben Amorim is beginning to get recognition for the work he is doing at Manchester United, with several players being recognised as success stories.
Thursday was the best night yet for Ruben Amorim as the head coach of Manchester United, with a remarkable 3-0 thumping of a disappointing Athletic Club side.
This sets up a hopefully comfortable night at Old Trafford in the second leg, although United are unlikely to take any risks with team selection.
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There were several impressive performances for United, with one of the very best coming from the club captain, Bruno Fernandes, whose brace broke records and was the latest huge performance for him.
However, he was not alone in having a standout display on the night, with MUTV pundits left raving about Harry Maguire after his wing wizardry, which created the opening goal of the game for United.
But it was another player who was ultimately the best player on the pitch, and his turnaround is all down to Amorim.
Ruben Amorim explains how he helped revive Casemiro’s career at Manchester United
In Bilbao, Casemiro completed his comeback for United, having gone from completely unwanted to now untouchable in the quest for Europa League glory.
Casemiro was heralded as ‘majestic’ by MUTV pundit Ben Thornley, while David May labelled him a ‘Rolls-Royce’ in midfield. Both comments were completely spot on, and the Brazilian deserved all the plaudits.
It has been a sensational turnaround by Casemiro, and speaking in advance of the trip to Brentford, Amorim has taken part of the credit for realising how to use the experienced 33-year-old, as quoted by club media.
“He improved a lot also, you can see [that] not in the way he plays but the way he runs, and you can see it. We have the data to show he worked really, really hard. He’s a very good example. But he was not playing.
“Even Toby [Collyer] sometimes was playing in front of him. And now it’s hard to take Casemiro [out]. So it’s a lesson for all the players in Manchester United: no matter what the past or the last month, everything can change in one moment.
“Then we understood that he cannot jump all the time pressing high. We need to let them understand. Sometimes it’s better to put three defenders and let him be the fourth defender, and put the wing backs pressing high. So these small things we are understanding, trying to cope with all the characteristics of the team. But the credit is for Casemiro.”
In months of coaching Casemiro, Amorim has learned how to use him effectively, which is something Erik ten Hag didn’t work out how to do in two years.
Casemiro is fighting for his future to be at Manchester United
Just a few short months ago, Casemiro was headed for the exit doors with no place in Amorim’s team as he was regularly the worst player on the pitch.
Amorim has admitted that Casemiro’s comeback is a lesson to all players as he didn’t accept his fate, instead worked hard and found a place and role in the team with the help of Amorim.
The relationship between Amorim and Casemiro is developing right now, and if it wasn’t for his huge wages, United would likely be desperate to keep Casemiro.
The Brazilian is, however, fighting for his place and showing he still has a role to play on the pitch as much as off the pitch with his brilliant campaign in Europe, which is a key reason behind the potential final trip United have.
Amorim will want to keep Casemiro, and perhaps the club could convince him to accept a lower wage in order to remain at the club. But if not and this is his swansong, what a way to go out.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/DEyNSPA