Football clubs resumed its normal season last week, with Match Week 17 of the English Premier League filled with more flares and excitements for its fans after more than a month of hiatus as a result of the winter World Cup. Top teams in the toughest football league in the world are holding their fort and looking forward to climb up the table, and a few records were broken last time around, including Manchester City’s Norway megastar Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 20 Premier League goals (14 games, seven lesser than the previous holder’s record).
City’s bitter rival, Manchester United also had their triumph on Wednesday, after they overcame Nottingham Forest with a resounding 3-0 victory at Old Trafford. But the Man of the Match for the Red Devils did not come from any of its three scorers that evening, but fell in the hands of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.
Best CDM in the Premier League?
The 30-year-old São José dos Campos-born player and former Real Madrid man played one of his best games in United colours against the Tricky Trees, brushing off claims regarding him being overpriced due to his age and playing style that might not be sufficient to go against players from the physical Premier League.
On his way to winning the best player of the match award, his padded incredible statistics, namely 104 touches, 100% aerial duels won, 13 passes into the final third, seven duels won, five tackles made, three clearances, three chances created, two interceptions and one assist. The central defensive midfielder’s sole assist in the game came after he intercepted a past from the opposition, before tearing off the opponent’s backline and feeding his Brazilian teammate Fred to seal all three points in the first Premier League game win for Manchester United after the World Cup break.
This compelling performance from Casemiro soon attracted many compliments from football colleagues and fans, with many now calling him the best central defensive midfielder in the Premier League and the best summer signing United made earlier this season.
The numbers that Casemiro put up against Nottingham Forest are crazy 😳:
104 touches
100% aerial duels won
13 passes into the final third
7 duels won
5 tackles made
3 clearances
3 chances created
2 interceptions
1 assistHe was everywhere | https://t.co/PIdFUk3IRn#OptusSport pic.twitter.com/MvjNhzXumA
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) December 28, 2022
A Must-Have Figure in ten Hag’s Manchester United
Erik ten Hag’s management of the new United team has always been positive, and this is largely due to a solid presence he formed for the defensive line and midfield of the team, with Casemiro being an important piece. The Brazilian star may be in his thirties now, but not only he has shown his intercepting qualities in games, but being able to involve in attacks also give the Red Devils a better foundation to score goals, which was an area they were lacking for many years despite having so many managerial changes.
When asked about Casemiro’s performance, Erik ten Hag said, “We needed a no.6. It is one of the decisions we made in our analysis before the season. We have the perfect one, we are happy with him. He has showed a lot of leadership and football skills. He is keeping the team together and then he is also so important in our ball playing. Winning the ball and giving the ball to the right player, like he did with the third goal.”
It is interesting to see how Manchester United is going to finish in the Premier League table this season, as they are now one single point away from the Top Four, with a game in hand.
Brazil’s legendary footballer Pelé passed away aged 82 earlier today.
(Photo Credits: Manchester Evening News)
