In Focus: World-class Casemiro key to Ten Hag's revolution

Manchester United have splashed the cash for a world-class defensive midfielder in Casemiro. 

After a long and fruitless pursuit of Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, the Red Devils turned their attentions elsewhere and have emerged with one of the best in the business. 

The Brazilian — signed from Real Madrid in a deal reportedly worth up to £70million — was unveiled at Old Trafford on Monday as Erik ten Hag's men earned their first points of the season, stunning rivals Liverpool in a 2-1 victory. 

Ahead of their clash with Southampton this afternoon, we take a look at how Casemiro can help his Dutch boss solve United's midfield conundrum. 

Dutch delight

United head coach Ten Hag revealed his delight at the club's capture of Casemiro. 

The 52-year-old — having finally been granted a much-needed upgrade in the centre of the park — expects his new signing to hold the midfield together. 

He said: "He [Casemiro] is the cement between the stones, that is what we have been looking for in the summer and found him. 

"[I am] very happy with his signing."

Cleaning up

Real Madrid won the Champions League and LaLiga last season — and Casemiro was a crucial cog in those successes. 

Sitting as the deepest midfielder, the Sao Paulo native disrupted opposition attacks and turned the ball over, providing a secure platform on which his more forward-thinking team-mates could build. 

In the league last term, the 30-year-old ranked an impressive sixth for possessions won in the middle third (116) and ninth for total tackles (79), demonstrating his quality as a ball-winning destroyer.

Colossal Casemiro

Casemiro is equally adept at winning the ball in the air as he is on the ground, making him a formidable opponent to get past. 

Standing at over 6ft, he is a sizeable presence and uses his frame well to head high balls away from danger. 

The 63-cap international won a whopping 101 aerial duels in LaLiga last term — a tally only 12 players can claim to have bettered. 

His aerial dominance also makes him a useful target to aim at from set-pieces, adding further value to the team.

Keeping the team ticking

Casemiro is not simply a tough-tackling midfielder, however. 

To thrive in a side that won the Champions League five times, he needed to pair his ball-winning skills with an ability to retain possession. 

In 2021-22, the former Madrid man attempted the 10th-most passes in LaLiga (1,962), completed the 12th-most (1,688) and also took the 11th-most touches (2,448). 

Those numbers demonstrate Casemiro's duties as the lynchpin of his side — a role Ten Hag will be keen to see him perform at Old Trafford.

A cut above

The arrival of Casemiro will significantly enhance United's options in the middle of the park. 

International compatriot Fred and academy graduate Scott McTominay have long toiled at the base of midfield — but the pair clearly are not of the requisite level to help United challenge for major honours once again. 

However, with Casemiro acting as a central anchor, perhaps the aforementioned duo — or indeed the much-maligned Donny van de Beek — will be able to kick on and thrive, in the knowledge that their new team-mate is covering behind them.