Roy Keane believes Casemiro still has a role to play at Manchester United, but only if Erik ten Hag changes his position in midfield.
The Brazilian had a disastrous performance against Liverpool before the international break, making mistakes that led to both of Luis Diaz’s goals in the 3-0 win before he was then replaced at half-time by Toby Collyer.
There has since been speculation over Casemiro’s future, with it suggested a move to Turkey could be on the cards, but he is currently expected to stay at United and has been named in the club’s Europa League squad.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane insisted he would have kept Casemiro on the pitch against Liverpool, despite his errors, as he explained how United can get more out of the 32-year-old.
“I wouldn’t be writing him off yet,” Keane said.
“His role in the team, if he gets back in and a couple of games under his belt, might be a bit higher up the pitch.
“The first thing we always say is, ‘he can’t get around the pitch’. But what we’ve seen going forward, he does have an eye for a pass. Set-pieces, how many times does he get his head on it?”
He added: “He’s come back and he’s lost a lot of weight, sometimes that can affect a player.
“Players becoming fitness freaks... you can go too far the other way. You still need that strength and power in the middle of the park.”
Casemiro has played alongside Kobbie Mainoo in the first three matches of the season, with Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount in more advanced positions.
Summer signing Manuel Ugarte is expected to come into the starting lineup once he gets up to full fitness, and Gary Neville agreed with Keane on how Ten Hag can tweak Casemiro’s role.
“Moving him probably higher and away from that back four and those deeper positions... I don’t think he’s the best at receiving it on the half turn,” Neville said.
“Ugarte’s going to come in with Mainoo. But when [Casemiro] does play, maybe Ugarte can sit a little bit deeper and he can move on a little bit.”
