Sources within Manchester United have been increasingly stating that Casemiro looks slimmer than ever before, and this has enhanced his performances. He is among the players with the lowest body fat percentage in Amorim's team.
"His diet is extremely strict," Ribe added. “Absolutely strict, to ensure his weight stays at 82.5 kilograms.”
His self-imposed sugar ban and fish-focused diet plan have not only set a standard for Casemiro himself but also for all the young players who look up to him during daily training sessions at Carrington.
Paraguayan right-back Diego León is seen by Casemiro as his protégé, and many members of the coaching staff hope Casemiro will maintain his high level of professionalism.
Even in the past week, Casemiro has demonstrated his high training standards by choosing to cut short his international duty to prepare for Sunday's derby match. His professionalism has also caught the attention of the first-team coaches.
It took Amorim some time to figure out how to make better use of Casemiro in his system. As a result, since Amorim took over as head coach in November 2024, the 33-year-old player did not feature in 9 out of the first 13 matches.
Now, the situation is no longer the same. Casemiro has become a key part of the team, so much so that both Amorim and Manchester United felt comfortable not forcing through the signing of a new midfielder this summer.
As Amorim stated earlier this year, the credit goes entirely to Casemiro's efforts. He has earned his place in the starting lineup through his performances and is proving his doubters wrong.
Looking back at the data from the early games of this season, we can clearly see the role Casemiro plays in the team. He is a ball-winning midfielder with precise timing to neutralize threats.
When Casemiro is on the pitch, Manchester United has conceded just 8 shots in 190 minutes of gameplay. In these three league matches, the expected goals against (xGC) was only 0.92.
Casemiro has also performed exceptionally well in key matches, so Manchester United has full confidence in him and believes he can play a key role at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Looking back at the most recent Manchester Derby, which took place at Old Trafford in April this year, Casemiro was a colossus in that game.
On that day, he made 11 tackles – the most tackles by a Manchester United player in a single league match since Patrice Evra also made 11 tackles against Portsmouth in August 2008.
Casemiro may be a serious character who does not talk about his work during matches, but it is said that his enthusiasm in recent weeks and months has been contagious.
He has a very close relationship with his fellow Brazilian Matheus Cunha, acts as a mentor to León, and also shares a strong bond with his midfield partner Bruno Fernandes.
