By the time Casemiro parks up at Carrington each morning for training he has already got a workout in.
There are no shortcuts for the Brazilian. Even building himself back up after falling out of favour at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag, Casemiro had a plan in mind to put himself back on top to get to where he is now, one of the first names on Ruben Amorim’s team-sheet and an integral cog in Brazil’s side preparing for a World Cup.
‘Casemiro is very methodical in his work,’ Oscar Ribot, an integral member of Casemiro’s inner circle and his agent of more than a decade, tells Daily Mail Sport.
‘Gym before training and after training back at his home gym. Physiotherapy treatment as well as using hyperbaric chambers during his rest periods. And there is also his early bed-time.
‘The same as every year for Casemiro – maximum professionalism. He loves to work.’
Ribot, whose Best of You agency represents the Brazilian, is one of Casemiro’s key confidantes, there in the best moments of his career and the worst. This is his first interview with English media in two-and-a-half years.
Casemiro has bounced back from adversity to become a key player for Man United once more
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Daily Mail Sport spoke to Casemiro’s long-time agent Oscar Ribot (right) about the Brazilian
Insiders at United have said with increasing regularity of late that Casemiro is looking leaner than ever, which has boosted his performance. He has one of the lowest reported body fat percentages of any player in Amorim’s squad.
‘He has a very strict diet,’ Ribot adds. ‘Absolutely strict to ensure he stays at a weight of 82.5 kilos.’
A self-imposed sugar ban, as well as a fish-centric diet, sets standards not just for Casemiro but for all of the younger players that look to him inside Carrington each day.
Paraguayan wing-back Diego Leon has been taken under Casemiro’s wing as a little brother. Many staff hope Casemiro’s intense levels of professionalism stick with the teenage defender.
Even in the past week, Casemiro showed his lofty standards, choosing to return early from international duty to get a head start on preparation for Sunday’s derby. His work ethic has not gone unnoticed by first team coaches.
It took Amorim a while to figure how best to utilise Casemiro in his system, so much so that from when Amorim took over as head coach in November 2024, the 33-year-old was an unused substitute in nine of the first 13 matches.
That is no longer the case. These days Casemiro is a key component of the side, so much so that Amorim and United were comfortable not forcing through a new midfield signing this summer.
Credit, as Amorim put it earlier this year, is all down to the work put in by Casemiro. He is a starter on merit and one that is proving some of his doubters wrong.
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With Casemiro on the pitch, United have been able to restrict opponents to very few chances
He is an important leader and is helping the likes of Diego Leon (far right) to settle into the side
‘They have a fantastic relationship that is one of absolute respect,’ Ribot tells Daily Mail Sport.
‘Amorim understands that Casemiro must always play because he doesn’t things go worse for Manchester United.
‘Casemiro is Amorim’s soldier and the two of them have great chemistry.’
A look at the data from the first few games this season underlines Casemiro’s role in this side now. A disruptor that is protected to be able to pick his moments to snuff out threats.
With Casemiro on the pitch, United have given up just eight shots on goal from 190 minutes of football. Across those three league games, the Expected Goals Conceded (xGC) is just 0.92.
Casemiro has thrived in big games too and that is why there is a quiet confidence from United’s side that he can be pivotal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Go back to April of this year for the most recent Manchester Derby, that one at Old Trafford, where Casemiro was colossus.
On that day he made 11 tackles, the most in a single league game by a Manchester United player since Patrice Evra’s 11 tackles against Portsmouth in August 2008.
Casemiro can be a serious figure, one who does not play about his work, but his positivity is said to have been infectious in recent weeks and months.
He has a very close relationship with his Brazilian compatriot Matheus Cunha, acts as an older brother to Leon, and is very close with midfield partner Bruno Fernandes.
Ruben Amorim took a while to learn how best to utilise Casemiro but the Brazilian is now key
While there was plenty of outside noise that Casemiro, who is into the final year of his contract at Manchester United, could or should move to Turkey or to Saudi Arabia for the remainder of his career, leaving was never on his agenda. He continues to have unfinished business at Old Trafford.
‘He gets along well with all the players, he is very well liked,’ Ribot adds.
‘Casemiro ignores criticism. In fact the only criticism he listens to is that of his own demands.
‘He is a player who is valued very highly by everyone and fans have shown him incredible affection in every game, as well as on the streets of Manchester.’
Before Ribot wraps this chat up he is definitive in his assessment of Casemiro.
‘It’s a future [at Manchester United] with a lot of ambition,’ he finishes.
‘The club has signed very well and I think they will have a great season. What I can assure you is that this season you will see the best version of Casemiro.’
Get that on Sunday and Casemiro can plunge City and Pep Guardiola even deeper into the mire.
