Man United star written off by Ruben Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now key man vs Athletic Bilbao

On a night when calm heads will be called for, Manchester United’s squad might be grateful for the presence of Casemiro. The serial Champions League winner might be the most important player in Ruben Amorim’s squad during a tilt for the Europa League.

It’s been quite a comeback for the 33-year-old Brazilian, who less than a year ago was told to ‘leave the football before it leaves you.’ In September, he was replaced by Toby Collyer at half-time after a humiliating performance against Liverpool and was then deemed past it by Amorim at the start of this year.

Casemiro started the defeat to Newcastle at the end of 2024 but was then banished by Amorim, who said he wasn’t picking the former Real Madrid player because he didn’t have the “characteristics” to play in his team. Three months ago, he was the sixth-choice central midfielder in the squad.

But Amorim has since used Casemiro as an example of a player who can change his mind. While he is back in the picture in the Premier League as well, it’s in Europe where he has become essential, playing all but 11 minutes of the knockout fixtures against Real Sociedad and Lyon.

The slower pace of fixtures against European sides has suited a player who has struggled with the intensity of the Premier League. He can find the defensive work a little easier, is having to cover less ground next to Manuel Ugarte and can display his excellent range of passing.

Then there is the experience. After a decade at Real Madrid, Casemiro is well-versed in what it takes to win semi-finals and finals and compete on the European stage.

He has played 83 Champions League fixtures and 22 in the Europa League. That kind of experience is invaluable in a squad that doesn’t have loads of it.

He will need to