Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim lavished praise on Casemiro following Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg against Real Sociedad, claiming that he is "learning how to use" the Brazilian.
Casemiro struggled for action in the early stages of Amorim's time at the helm, and the Portuguese admitted at the end of January that the experienced midfielder lacked "the characteristics" to be a regular in his 3-4-3 system.
"He has to have the characteristics and then I have to choose the player with the characteristics on how I see the game," Amorim told reporters earlier this year when asked about the Brazilian's lack of action.
"It is just like that and I have to make some choices, I want to play a game that is sometimes different from other coaches and I have to chose based on that. That's all."
However, Man United's recent injury crisis has opened the door for Casemiro to enjoy a run in the side, and the 33-year-old was again excellent in his side's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad in the second leg of their last-16 clash in the Europa League.
Amorim praises Casemiro after another strong Red Devils display
Casemiro's difficulties have come when he has been exposed in a 3-4-3 system, but the Brazilian has been excellent operating in a low block, demonstrating that he can still have a key role to play for the Red Devils.
"I think I'm also learning how to use players like Casemiro and, like you said, without a lot of options, we are trying to put our players in the best positions and that helps us a lot," Amorim told TNT Sports.
"I think you can feel that they have more freedom and then because of one game in Spain that we try to use the pace of [Alejandro] Garnacho, on the right, and he showed me so many things on the right, maybe better than the left.
"So I'm trying to find the best solution for the team, and that helps us to play all the time with the same team. It was hard, sometimes we lost some pace in the end of the games, but we are learning.
Amorim: 'Casemiro brought us calmness'
"I think Casemiro gave us a little bit of calm. Sometimes, he takes a little bit long when he was not playing too much, you feel it in the game against Newcastle. The pace was not there but he is giving that first moment of build-up, and then you can push Bruno [Fernandes] near the goal, so he's dangerous there."
Casemiro's future remains the subject of much speculation, but he has a contract at Old Trafford until June 2026, and it is understood that he has no interest in leaving this summer.
Manuel Ugarte was back on the bench against Real Sociedad on Thursday night, while Toby Collyer is also now fit after a recent issue, but Casemiro retained his spot alongside Bruno Fernandes in central midfield.
Amorim must now decide whether to name Casemiro in his XI once again for Sunday's Premier League game against Leicester City, which will be the team's final fixture ahead of the March international break. body check tags ::
