Casemiro has stopped giving Manchester United what Erik ten Hag signed him for

The Champions League has undoubtedly been kind to Casemiro, but the five-time winner of this competition won't be enjoying the 2023/24 version so far.

The Brazilian had to lower himself to the Europa League last season but the return to Europe's top table was secured in large part thanks to his £70million move to Real Madrid. In as much as a player with his CV can be, he was a revelation at Old Trafford.

United had lacked a world-class holding midfielder for years and Casemiro's arrival immediately fixed that problem. It took him a little while to break into the team, but once he was there his presence was significant.

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The Carabao Cup final win against Newcastle summed up his influence in that first season. He scored that day, celebrated winning a goal kick with unrivalled passion in front of the United fans and then spent the first few seconds after the final whistle upbraiding Bruno Fernandes for not passing in what was one of the final actions of a 2-0 win.

That encapsulated so much of his game. He was a reliable midfielder, capable of snuffing out attacks and protecting the defence, as well as a player revitalised by a new challenge away from the Bernabeu. He was also someone helping to raise the standards at the club.

Ten Hag had made signing leaders a key part of his first summer window, saying he wanted players with "character and personality", and Casemiro fit the bill perfectly. Speaking a few weeks after he had won his first trophy as United manager, ending the club's six-year drought, he spoke in glowing terms about the impact Casemiro