Amorim could win a trophy on Wednesday
Amorim could win a trophy on Wednesday
"Leave the football before the football leaves you. The football's left him."
Nobody needs reminding of Jamie Carragher's words on Monday Night Football when assessing Casemiro's performance against Crystal Palace last season. Casemiro hasn't left football but he may well be leaving Bilbao with the Europa League trophy.
Carragher later admitted he felt his comment was harsh and would apologise to the Manchester United midfielder if he met him.
To add some context, Carragher was referring specifically to Casemiro's ability to play at the top level, of which a final in Europe's secondary club competition against a team one place above the relegation zone is not, but Casemiro's United renaissance in the Europa League cannot be ignored.
After a stunning maiden season in the Premier League, Casemiro was in decline for a good 18 months. His performances in the Premier League, even over the last couple of months, have done little to suggest said decline has been arrested, but in the Europa League he has found a brand of football with the pace and intensity - or lack thereof - to remind us what a brilliant player he has been.
The Brazilian did not get a kick between December 30 and January 30 as United scrambled to find a buyer for the midfielder. No joy on that front, but the United bank balance's loss has been Ruben Amorim's gain.
Casemiro has been a crucial part of United's run to the final of the Europa League and his start and eventual withdrawal against Chelsea on Friday night was further confirmation of what we already knew: he will be one of the 11 lining up for the Europa League anthem in Bilbao.
Amorim admitted recently that he had changed his mind on Casemiro, having started to understand the best way to utilise the veteran. His running patterns were monitored and tweaked, and United are now benefiting from his performances in the Europa League.
Winning Wednesday's final and qualifying for the Champions League would net United a minimum figure of £80m and, should they do so, it's not too far a stretch to say that would not have been possible without Casemiro.
United have been fairly criticised for their willingness to commit to such a lucrative long-term deal for a player who was already in his 30s when he arrived on these shores.
Guide United to Champions League qualification and that decision might not seem so rash.
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