Something unexpected might be happening with player who Manchester United wanted to sell

"Leave the football before the football leaves you," said Jamie Carragher almost a year ago.

Carragher made that comment when he reacted to Casemiro's performance at Selhurst Park.

"He had to bring Casemiro off at half-time," he added. "Casemiro should be thinking he needs to go to the MLS or Saudi Arabia. We are watching one of the greats of modern times decline."

Carragher's quip about 'leaving football' was memorable. Manchester United fans don't often agree with Liverpool legends, but they'd had enough of a regressing Casemiro at that stage.

Although it was a struggle to find a supporter who wanted to keep Casemiro last summer and United wanted to sell him, no appropriate offer arrived and he stayed beyond the window.

Then Casemiro faced the embarrassment of being hooked at half-time against Liverpool in September when the new season was under way. Selhurst Park felt like it would be Casemiro's nadir, but he was replaced by the inexperienced Toby Collyer in that game, which felt worse.

The consensus was that Casemiro was finished at the top level. Ruud van Nistelrooy took over on an interim basis, though, and he started the Brazilian in each of his games in charge.

Casemiro's improvement was sparked by Van Nistelrooy placing his faith in him and he's continued to show improved form since Ruben Amorim's arrival, especially in the Europa League.

It's not a surprise that the Europa League suits Casemiro better in the winter of his career. It is slower than the Premier League and the 33-year-old fares better against weaker opposition.

Casemiro is set to play an important role in United's attempt to win the Europa League, and Amorim was interesting when he was asked about the midfielder at Friday's press conference.

"Ever