If anybody in Manchester United’s squad will be determined to prove his doubters wrong this season, it is Casemiro.

After an excellent debut season at Old Trafford in 2022/23, the Brazilian regressed at an alarming rate last season. He was criticised relentlessly, so much so that suggestions of retirement were mooted.

Turning 33 next February, it would be in United’s best interests to try and offload him before the end of this summer’s transfer window. But with another two years remaining on his deal, they are unlikely to receive offers in the region they are looking for.

Though United must bring in a new holding midfielder before the window closes in a little over a fortnight’s time, the dream scenario would be for Casemiro to defy his critics and get back to his very best.

He has started each of the Reds’ six games in preparation for Friday night’s Premier League opener against Fulham, meaning he is a shoo-in to start for the visit of the Cottagers. He captained the side throughout pre-season and even helped himself to a goal in the 3-2 win over Real Betis at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

Despite being drafted in from Real Madrid two years ago to add steel and grit to United’s midfield – something which he did excellently in his first season at the club – he has often been reliable in an attacking sense. He has 12 goals and nine assists in 84 competitive appearances for the club.

Although he is a player of a defensive profile, he is often hungry to get forward and pop up in advanced positions. He linked up superbly with Amad on the edge of the penalty area in Saturday’s Community Shield clash with Manchester City, playing a key hand in what very nearly led to United scoring the game’s opening goal in the first half.

He often ventured forward in pre-season, too, giving United an extra body when they attempted to attack the opposition’s penalty area. As a caveat, it must be highlighted pre-season friendlies are not played at full throttle, but you can only make a judgement on what you see in front of you.

In Casemiro’s case, he deserves credit where credit’s due for his performances over the last four weeks. However, he has looked better going forwards than he has at attempting to protect the back-four.

He was clumsy in gift-wrapping Liverpool their opening goal in their 3-0 win over United in South Carolina just over a week ago, and he was sloppy with the ball against Arsenal in Los Angeles seven days earlier. With that said, there is still an obvious need for a new holding midfielder, who can get around the pitch that little bit quicker to protect the back-four.

As a counter-argument, however, Casemiro’s defensive statistics from Saturday’s clash with City at Wembley made encouraging reading; he produced seven tackles – the most of anyone on the pitch – and two clearances. In the other direction, he successfully produced two key passes – only City bright spark Oscar Bobb produced more (three).

His performance at Wembley was encouraging, but still more so in an attacking sense. His years of experience and knowledge still make him a key player and it would be a big shock to see him miss out on a starting berth against Fulham.

“He has a pre-season so he is very fit in this moment,” Ten Hag said of Casemiro after the defeat to City on penalties. “I think, as a team, we work good together and I think that makes it for Case (Casemiro) very easy.

“Then he can bring his skills in and then you can see his importance for the game and for our team.”

With the mission to bring in a defensive midfielder proving complex and highly likely to go down to the dying stages of the window, Casemiro will still be tasked with protecting the back-four for now. It is not the ideal situation, such is the way he declined when tasked with that responsibility last season, but if United can retain possession a little better than they did last term, the Brazilian could be useful in attacking situations.

Of course, Casemiro’s main purpose is to defend and keep things ticking in midfield, but his attacking contributions can often go under the radar. His forward actions have been noticed in recent weeks and United would love him to take those into the season opener.