Back in May 2024, Manchester United were dire as they crashed to a nightmare 4-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace.
There were many bad performers that evening. From Andre Onana to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Antony to Rasmus Hojlund, it was a disastrous contest from start to finish.
But Casemiro, arguably, was the worst player on the field that night. The Brazil international looked lost, with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise running rings around him. Less than two years on from his huge arrival from Real Madrid, it looked as though £70million had been thrown down the drain.
Nobody was more scathing in their assessment than Jamie Carragher. Infamously, he told Casemiro to 'leave the football before the football leaves you'.
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Carragher, speaking to millions on Sky Sports, said: "I think Casemiro should know tonight that he should only have another three games left at the top level.
"The next two league games and the cup final, then he should be thinking, I need to go to the MLS or Saudi.
"This has to stop because we are watching one of the greats of the modern time.
"I always remember the saying 'leave the football before the football leaves you'. The football has left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move.
Manchester United next five fixtures include four away games | GB NEWS/GETTY"The level of that player, he should not be putting himself through this. He is too good of a player to be putting in a performance like that being laughed at by Crystal Palace.
"He needs to call it a day."
In 2024, many expected Casemiro to depart.
Clubs from Saudi Arabia were linked, only for no formal offers to materialise. Erik ten Hag, United manager at the time, had no choice but to persevere.
Casemiro was dire as Manchester United lost to Crystal Palace in May 2024
|PA
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In the end, towards the end of the Dutchman's tenure, he ran out of patience. Casemiro became a marginalised figure and, when Ruben Amorim first took charge, it was a similar story.
Fast-forward to now, however, and the veteran has silenced his critics.
United were impressive against Brighton on Saturday, with their 4-2 victory at Old Trafford making it three wins on the trot.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have excelled, with the pair elevating the Red Devils' attack. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens, though still raw, has instantly won round supporters as well.
Yet Casemiro's performances have provided the club with steel. He isn't the same player as he was during his time at Real Madrid but, at the current moment in time, he is a key cog in the Amorim machine.
The midfielder scored one and assisted another against Brighton. When hooked towards the end of the contest, United were vulnerable.
Amorim, speaking after the game, hailed his midfield general.
“I think he gives a lot of experience. He's so important for us.
Casemiro has become a key player for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United
|GETTY
"Today he run (sic) a lot. He had to press so high and then return, and he’s doing that.
“So, I’m really pleased with him. And the other guys need to look at Casemiro.”
Now, the onus will be on Casemiro to keep delivering.
United are ticking along nicely. Suddenly, Amorim looks to have turned a corner.
And with rivals Liverpool and Chelsea failing to win, there's now a genuine possibility that they could surge into contention for the title.
Whether that's the case, after so many years of false dawns, remains to be seen.