Luka Modric responds as Casemiro sends upbeat Man United message
Casemiro took to social media with a two-word verdict after Manchester United and Manchester City cancelled each other out at Old Trafford.
Sunday’s Manchester Derby came and went with very little to write home about; the two rivals playing out a 0-0 draw which saw chances at a premium at both ends and neither side really go for the jugular.
Alejandro Garnacho being denied a penalty in the opening seconds proved to be the biggest inflection point of a derby which certainly didn’t live up to its billing, as United remain a lowly 13th in the table.
Ruben Amorim remains unbeaten against Pep Guardiola this season after victories with both Sporting and then Man United at the Etihad, but their latest encounter was nowhere near as memorable.
Casemiro sums up Man United mood after derby draw
Amorim made use of his squad early in the second half against City, bringing on Victor Lindelof for Harry Maguire, but with just two further substitutions made, Casemiro saw out the full 90 minutes.
The Brazilian’s midfield partner Manuel Ugarte and Rasmus Hojlund were replaced in the 71st minute with Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount entering the fray for Man United, but neither made much impact.
| Manchester United | Statistic | Manchester City |
| 0 | Goals | 0 |
| 0.92 | xG | 0.49 |
| 2 / 13 | Shots on Target | 5 / 9 |
| 42% | Possession | 58% |
| 5 | Corners | 3 |
Posting on Instagram after full-time at Old Trafford (6 April), Casemiro gave a two-word verdict of the match, with images of the 33-year-old contesting duels and the caption: “Good battle at Old Trafford!”
Luke Shaw was named among the substitutes for the first time since early December but failed to feature on Sunday, and the left-back left a comment to call Casemiro a “monster”.
Casemiro’s former Real Madrid team-mate Luke Modric also chimed in with a comment, saying; “Him again”, while United skipper Bruno Fernandes called the Brazilian; “different class”.
Man United on transfer hunt for Casemiro replacement
As solid as Casemiro was on Sunday, staying on the pitch while Ugarte was withdrawn midway through the second half, central midfield is one of several areas Amorim will be keen to upgrade in this summer.
Casemiro has long since been a lighting rod for criticism as a representative of United’s ineffective and expensive transfer strategy, with many fans happy to see him move on from Old Trafford at season’s end.
Selling Scott McTominay due to their inability to get Casemiro’s hefty wages off the books has also been a point of conjecture for Man United fans, and there’s no doubt that Amorim needs more in the middle.
Stefan Borson exlcusively told Football Insider in January that Man United would accept “any price” for Casemiro in order to move him on, but it remains to be seen how many offers will be forthcoming.