Casemiro believes Carrick would have changed his Man United career

But the rosy picture painted in the second half of the season stands in direct contrast to the misery which engulfed the club over Christmas with Ruben Amorim still at the helm.

The prickly Portuguese was given his marching orders by INEOS at the beginning of January after an explosive fallout with sporting director Jason Wilcox a few days prior. It brought an end to his tumultuous tenure after 14 months, though performances on the pitch would have justified that decision far earlier.

In a long line of mistakes by INEOS, hiring a manager with no experience in English football and a rigid system that suited none of the players is unmatched. The fact that Carrick has achieved such success simply by reversing Amorim’s major decisions, rather than implementing many of his own, is a testament to this.

Casemiro backs Carrick

The major change the 44-year-old Englishman has made is a simple switch back to a more comfortable 4-2-3-1 shape. However, it has been a more defensive variation, designed to protect – rather than expose – Casemiro.

The fullbacks, particularly Luke Shaw at left-back, do not wander too far forward to help protect against transitions. Mainoo remains close to his Brazilian elder, while the backline are happy to remain deep. Whatever pressing the team do comes from the front four.

Is this Carrick’s idealised vision for his side? No. Is it a smart adaptation to maximise your best player’s strengths and minimise their weaknesses? Yes.

It’s little wonder, therefore, that, according to sources close to him, Casemiro believes his time in M16 could have been extended if Carrick had arrived earlier: “Well-placed sources say Casemiro feels he would have been able to play longer for United as Carrick has taken measures to ensure he stays fully-fit.”

The Sao Paulo native’s contract expires at the end of the season, with both the player and club having decided against an option to extend it by twelve months. However, he is said to feel he “could have played for Manchester United for one more year” if these tactical changes had been implemented earlier.

Having been managed by some of football’s most illustrious managers at the Santiago Bernabeu, Casemiro’s opinion on Carrick’s position at Old Trafford is a salient one – and he fully backs the interim boss to get the job permanently.

“The team plays very good,” the midfielder says. “He will win any games. The team improves day by day. Game by game the team improves.

“So, for me, it’s a big problem because in my opinion he deserved this opportunity…He deserves the opportunity because the team is very comfortable. The team plays very good. We have big wins big ones. So for me he deserves this opportunity.”

With the support of the dressing room and the executive branch, Carrick looks to be at the wheel permanently moving forward; but Casemiro may have been his lieutenant in midfield next season had that decision been made earlier.

Feature image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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