While the headlines will rightly be focused on Brazil’s shock 3-2 defeat against Japan, Casemiro delivered a quietly impressive performance.
Entrusted with the captain’s armband by Carlo Ancelotti, the veteran midfielder was almost a one-man band at times in Tokyo, and there was little he could do to change the result.
In fact, he was one of the few players who emerged from the friendly with a semblance of credit, while others around him crumbled in a Selecao performance that will ring the alarm bells.
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Casemiro will now return to Manchester United with his future very much up in the air, but his display in Japan will certainly have given Ruben Amorim some welcome food for thought.
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro looks on during his side's victory against Sunderland at Old Trafford
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim must now make midfield transfer decision
The big question is whether Casemiro even has a future at United beyond the end of the season.
His contract is up in June 2026 and as it stands, he will leave the club as a free agent. The 33-year-old is also among United’s highest earners at a time when they are drastically slashing their wage bill.
They do hold a clause which would extend his deal by an additional 12 months, but that would mean he would stay on his current salary, a proposal Sir Jim Ratcliffe is unlikely to entertain.
So, we come to a stand-off. On one hand, there is Casemiro’s good recent performances for club and country, proving he can still play at the highest level. His experience and know-how are also invaluable.
But on the flipside, there is the fact that he will only continue to regress, particularly in his energy levels. Amorim’s system relies heavily on two mobile midfielders in the double pivot.
Casemiro made four tackles and won eight duels against Japan, and completed 89 per cent of his passes, but United supporters will believe it is time to move on from him.
They will first want clarity over his future before any grand spending takes place next summer.
There certainly appears to be cash to splash, especially after United kept their eye on Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, who would have set them back £100million.
Kobbie Mainoo is also waiting in the wings, and the club are at serious risk of losing him, either on loan or for good, if he is not given more minutes between now and January.
The solution, however, is simple. United should use the £100m wisely elsewhere, hand Mainoo a starting role week in, week out, and keep Casemiro, albeit on lower wages and as a rotation option.
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Man United’s failed Carlos Baleba pursuit
It is no secret that Amorim wanted Baleba to strengthen the spine of his side leading into the new campaign, and Brighton chairman Tony Bloom has lifted the lid on United’s interest for the first time.
Bloom told The Argus: “I don’t think Baleba was a saga. There was interest from Manchester United, and we said that he wasn’t available this summer, and they went away.
“So we’ve had many bigger sagas in the past. But Carlos Baleba, his improvement has been immense.
“Massively important player to this football club, and just delighted that he’s with us for this season.”