Manchester United new boy Casemiro has been confirmed as the next wearer of the number eighteen jersey
Only this summer, with Juan Mata’s departure, did eighteen become available, allowing Bruno Fernandes to convert to his preferred number eight.
United fans will be hoping that Casemiro has the same luck as Fernandes had when he originally joined the club.
When he signed in January 2020, the Portuguese turned around United’s fortunes.
His inventiveness was a welcome addition to a club that had relied on Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard in offensive midfield roles.
Casemiro’s present scenario is similar, with the five-time Champions League champion taking on a defensive midfield role previously occupied by Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic.
It remains to be seen if he can be as big of a spark as Fernandes was, but he surely has a better background.
Casemiro is also facing a handful of players who have both captained the club in competitive games.
Bruno Fernandes has worn the shirt as captain in Harry Maguire’s absence, while his predecessor, Ashley Young, served as club captain under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho.
Young had the number for over a decade, but before him, there was the most renowned eighteen-year-old.
From 1996 through 2011, Paul Scholes, the ginger ninja, wore the number eighteen.
He wore it as a midfield conductor, off the front man, box to box, and as a midfield conductor. He looked great in it.
If Casemiro can replicate his achievements as a teenager, Old Trafford will be a very happy place.
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