Praise from rival club players is rare for Manchester United stars, rarer still coming from a Newcastle player, who have developed somewhat of a one-sided rivalry with the club.
The rivalry started with a protracted saga for Dan Ashworth, with the latest development being Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko snubbing Newcastle to join Man Utd.
That’s why it’s notable that Bruno Guimaraes, a bona fide Newcastle favourite, has lavished unqualified praise on a Man Utd star.
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It cements a remarkable turnaround for the player who was one of the most vilified individuals in the team this time last year.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesBruno Guimaraes lavishes praise on Casemiro
More than a Newcastle player, Guimaraes is a Brazilian international, and for every Brazilian player, especially midfielders, Casemiro is the ultimate example.
From winning five Champions League titles with Real Madrid to effectively having two different career spells at Old Trafford with his recent resurgence, Casemiro is an example for everyone.
Guimaraes is the latest to give him his flowers, saying that the Man Utd player is an “idol” for him, counting him as his inspiration.
In an interview with Globo, Guimaraes said: “He’s a complete player. His career speaks for itself. In one of my first interviews with the national team in 2020, when I arrived, they asked if I was inspired by anyone in midfield, and I said his name, Casemiro.
“He’s also an idol there for everything he’s done, especially at Real Madrid, the five Champions League titles. A guy that everyone who plays in the Brazilian midfield talks about, Casemiro, is the guy we have to follow. So I think it’s a bit of everything. He’s a leader.”
Casemiro has made the unthinkable a genuine possibility
Last season, when Toby Collyer was starting ahead of him, everyone at Man Utd was counting down the days to the summer of 2026.
That’s when the club would finally be free of Casemiro’s huge wages and move forward without a player who was past it.
Fast forward a year, and the thought that Casemiro could be offered an extension is no longer rage-bait, but a genuine possibility many Man Utd fans would entertain.
After his latest performances, do you want Casemiro to sign a one-year contract extension?
The numbers will have to make sense from United’s perspective, relative to Casemiro’s age, but such is his turnaround and professionalism and nobody can rule out the player performing at the top level for another year or two.
If he agrees to a reduced squad role on lower wages, then that probability arguably becomes a no-brainer, because he’s no longer just a crucial player.
His gravitas and leadership make him a team leader who sets the standards, something that is invaluable for Ruben Amorim.