{"id":1432995,"date":"2026-02-12T19:49:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T19:49:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1432995"},"modified":"2026-02-12T19:49:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T19:49:31","slug":"tactical-analysis-manchester-united-how-casemiro-role-has-changed-michael-carrick-2026","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-manchester-united-how-casemiro-role-has-changed-michael-carrick-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United analysis: How Casemiro&#8217;s role has changed under Michael Carrick"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Michael Carrick has leaned heavily on the Casemiro-Kobbie Mainoo pairing in midfield and it has paid off dearly so far.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both players have thrived alongside each other and helped the Red Devils equal their longest unbeaten run of the season. It&#8217;s now four wins and one draw in five games for the interim manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But he has tinkered with their roles, especially when compared to how Ruben Amorim saw them. He rarely ever played Mainoo, who has already seen more game time under Carrick (449 minutes) than under Amorim (397) in the whole season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For perspective, Mainoo actually replaced Casemiro in five of his six final matches with the Portuguese at the helm, rather than sharing the pitch with him.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/sky-bet?q=gb-all-soa-bs4-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sky Bet Offer<\/a>: Get \u00a340 in free bets when you place any bet<\/h2>\r\n<p>Looking for some free bets to boost your betting fund? Sky Bet are offering customers the chance to get \u00a340 in free bets when they sign up and place any qualifying bet.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/sky-bet?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1422496\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-1024x290.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-1024x290.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-300x85.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-768x218.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-1536x435.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-400x113.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-600x170.png 600w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-212x60.png 212w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-150x43.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-40x11.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143.png 2036w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li><a href=\"\/en\/go\/sky-bet?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Sign up at Sky Bet<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0using this link<\/li>\r\n<li>Place a qualifying bet of at least 5p on a single or each way bet at odds of 1\/1 or greater, as your first bet<\/li>\r\n<li>Claim your \u00a340 free bet bonus<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h5 class=\"bookmaker-row exclusive\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-filter=\"  all-bookmakers free-bets in-play new-bookmaker world-cup-offers\">18+ NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE &amp; E\/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1\/1 OR GREATER. 4 X \u00a310 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS EXPIRE AFTER 30 DAYS. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&amp;CS APPLY.<\/h5>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>What is Michael Carrick doing differently with Casemiro at Man United?<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-tactical-flexibility\" data-level=\"3\">Tactical flexibility<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-attacking-presence\" data-level=\"3\">Attacking presence<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-world-cup-hopes\" data-level=\"3\">World Cup hopes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tactical-flexibility\">Tactical flexibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Watching Casemiro now, he looks like a more complete player, who&#8217;s participating in all phases of the game more often. It feels like the range of his actions has increased, rather than just being a destroyer who sits in front of the backline to protect it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He is still the main defensive option in midfield who plays the deepest. If Manchester United decide to press higher up, it&#8217;s Kobbie Mainoo who will take the step forward and break the double-pivot shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But Carrick has also given him freedom to join the attack more frequently. Judging by his on-ball actions, he has been operating on both ends more &#8216;dramatically&#8217;. Under Amorim, it was a slightly more reduced zone of the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, his tackles and overall defensive presence have dropped a little. But he is usually the first in line to counter-press or win second balls while he&#8217;s forward, which is also useful for Man United to regain possession after losing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1432997\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-2048x1280.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-400x250.jpg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-320x200.jpg 320w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-96x60.jpg 96w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-150x94.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/12190658\/CasemiroCarrickAmorim120226-40x25.jpg 40w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-attacking-presence\">Attacking presence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of which, Casemiro has spent more time in the attacking third &#8211; as the previous table shows. But the dynamics that lead to that increase are fascinating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Manchester United play with a double pivot of a more techincally gifted player (Kobbie Mainoo) and a more defensive-minded midfielder (Casemiro).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Logically, during build-up, Casemiro would be closer to defenders to initiate the actions while Mainoo sits further up where he can use his skills to find through balls, dribble around tight spaces and connect with other attacking-minded midfielders and forwards.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2>BOYLE Sports offer: Bet \u00a310 Get \u00a340 in free bets<\/h2>\r\n<p>Not signed up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/boylesports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BOYLE Sports<\/a> yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...<\/p>\r\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\r\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true} --><\/p>\r\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\r\n<li>Sign up to BOYLE Sports using this <a href=\"\/en\/go\/boylesports?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">link<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\r\n<li>Deposit a minimum of \u00a310 (Excluding Skrill\/Moneybookers, Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe or prepaid cards).<\/li>\r\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\r\n<li>Place a minimum bet of \u00a310 or more at odds of EVS (2.0) or greater.<\/li>\r\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\r\n<li>Receive your \u00a340 in free bets<\/li>\r\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ol>\r\n<p><!-- \/wp:list -->\r\n\r\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":1393641,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} --><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/boylesports?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1425440 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-1024x323.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"323\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-1024x323.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-300x95.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-768x242.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-400x126.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-600x189.png 600w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-190x60.png 190w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-150x47.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448-40x13.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/20153506\/Screenshot-2026-01-20-153448.png 1524w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\r\n<p><em>18+ New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit \u00a310. Min stake \u00a310. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out\/Free Bets won\u2019t apply. Account &amp; Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household &amp; IP Address only. T&amp;Cs Apply<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<p>But Michael Carrick has flipped this dynamic to have Mainoo deeper, where he can drag the team out of the defence and into the attacking half. But in order for that to happen, he needs space. If Casemiro is too close, he&#8217;ll attract attention and there will be more opponents near Mainoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So Casemiro has been seen between opposing lines quite often as of late, almost like a number eight or ten, waiting for a forward pass. The Red Devils explored this zone quite easily against Tottenham, for instance, when the Brazilian nearly led the team in shots (4, fewer only than Bruno Fernandes&#8217; eight).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This doesn&#8217;t exactly manifest in heat maps, considering he doesn&#8217;t receive the ball in those positions all the time. But off the ball, the movement is clear for everyone to see. They abandon the double-pivot shape with Casemiro way ahead of Mainoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Casemiro Touches<\/th><th>Under Michael Carrick<\/th><th>Under Ruben Amorim<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Attacking third<\/td><td><strong>16.8<\/strong><\/td><td>11.1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Middle third<\/td><td>36.2<\/td><td><strong>41.5<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Defending third<\/td><td><strong>18.7<\/strong><\/td><td>18.0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-world-cup-hopes\">World Cup hopes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In all fairness, Casemiro was already playing well under Ruben Amorim. It&#8217;s not like Michael Carrick turned him from bad to good overnight &#8211; he just tapped into a different part of his game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But his form this season has propelled him straight back to the starting lineup in the Brazilian national team. He even wars the captain&#8217;s armband whenever Marquinhos doesn&#8217;t play. Of course, the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti last May also helped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Previous manager Dorival Junior prioritised a different profile of midfielder in his call-ups. Bruno Guimaraes has been a constant presence with every head coach. But the likes of Andre, Joelinton, Joao Gomes, Gerson and even Lucas Paqueta in a deeper role usually got the nod over Casemiro. He was even left out of the squad for the 2024 Copa America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But things have changed since. The Man United midfielder featured in the Italian&#8217;s first call-up and started all but one of the eight games with Ancelotti. The exception was the last matchday of Conmebol Qualifiers, in which Brazil went with an alternate lineup and Casemiro was suspended anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He is basically guaranteed to start in the upcoming World Cup alongside Guimaraes in the heart of Brazil&#8217;s midfield. The way Carrick has used him and how he&#8217;s responded will certainly increase the chances even more.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michael Carrick has leaned heavily on the Casemiro-Kobbie Mainoo pairing in midfield and it has paid off dearly so far. Both players have thrived alongside each other and helped the Red Devils equal their longest unbeaten run of the season. It&#8217;s now four wins and one draw in five games for the interim manager. But&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3354,"featured_media":1432998,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Michael Carrick has leaned heavily on the Casemiro-Kobbie Mainoo pairing in midfield and it has paid off dearly so far.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1432995","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Manchester United analysis: How Casemiro&#039;s role has changed under Michael Carrick | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Michael Carrick has leaned heavily on the Casemiro-Kobbie Mainoo pairing in midfield and it has paid off 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