Casemiro wasn’t a player many Manchester United fans had even considered could fill their defensive midfield void until this week.
To many, his capture would have been a pipe dream but United have now agreed a deal to sign the Real Madrid midfielder on a four-year contract, with the option of an additional year. The Brazil international is set to sign for a fee of £60million rising to £70m, depending on performance-related add-ons.
United manager Erik ten Hag prioritised a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong in the summer, but once it became clear Casemiro was more attainable, United moved for the Brazil international. And statistics show he would be a better alternative to Fred and Scott McTominay in the deeper defensive role.
READ MORE: Manchester United advancing with possible Casemiro transfer
Data - starting from the beginning of the 2021/22 season - pulled together by WhoScored shows that Casemiro, on average, makes more tackles per 90 minutes with a higher tackle succession percentage.
The 30-year-old makes 2.8 tackles per game, while Fred makes 2.7 and McTominay records 2.4. Casemiro wins 68.1 per cent of his tackles, higher than Fred’s 52 per cent and McTominay’s 67.3.
He also produces more passes per 90 minutes than the current United midfield pair. The midfielder creates 68.7 passes a match, much higher than both Fred (59.9) and McTominay (46.2).
WhoScored gives Casemiro an overall rating of 7.23 with McTominay at 6.87 and Fred at 6.81. McTominay has made more clearances on average than Casemiro (2.3 vs 2.1), while Fred has made more interceptions (1.5 vs 1.3).
But the areas that Casemiro dominates are arguably the ones United need a defensive midfielder for the most. There’s no doubt that Casemiro would be an upgrade, albeit the traits he lost out to McTominay and Fred on must not be discounted.
READ MORE:
