Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hailed the influence Casemiro has had on the team.
Casemiro has been Ten Hag’s most dependable player since he arrived from Real Madrid last summer. His presence in the centre of the park has been critical to Man United’s success this season.
Ten Hag admits that the Brazilian midfielder is highly pivotal to United, not only on the pitch but also off it.
He said (via ManUtd.com): “Casemiro, in this team, is such a leader, and he is so important to us.
“Not only with his performances, skills, like scoring a goal, or his header [against Newcastle], or like linking up or intercepting balls.
“[He is important to our] organisation. The mentality, the culture, and we are so happy that we signed him.
“I knew what a magnificent player he was. Just look through his profile. You see all the cups he won and that’s not [a] coincidence.
“Like Rapha Varane and Casemiro, they won five Champions Leagues. That’s not a coincidence, it’s not like all of a sudden. You have players who win and win always, and players who lose and always lose.”
Casemiro has brought the winning mentality to Old Trafford
Football is not only played on the field but also inside the head. If players do not possess the hunger to be the best every day, they won’t win titles.
Last week’s Carabao Cup was Casemiro’s 21st trophy which shows that the midfielder is obsessed with winning.
When Man United signed Casemiro last summer, not everyone was convinced.
A few people claimed the midfielder is not great with the ball, but that criticism looks hilarious now. With Luka Modric and Tony Kroos ahead of him at Madrid, Casemiro was never asked to do much with the ball.
However, his forward passing from deep has sparked numerous attacks.
There is no doubt that he is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world but he has brought more than that to United.
He has netted five goals and five assists for the Red Devils. These include crucial efforts against Newcastle United (Carabao Cup final) and Chelsea (Premier League).
United are travelling to Anfield today to take on arch-rivals Liverpool.
They have a glorious chance of doing the double over their opponents after beating them 2-1 at Old Trafford earlier this term.
