Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has hailed Casemiro‘s huge impact at the club since his arrival from Real Madrid during the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils spent much of the summer market chasing Frenkie de Jong before ultimately being forced to admit defeat in their pursuit of the Barcelona midfielder.
The club switched their attention to Casemiro and were able to sign the Brazil international from Real Madrid despite the midfielder still being a key player for the Spanish and European champions.
Casemiro had to bide his time before cementing his spot in the first XI, but the 30-year-old has now made 28 appearances for Man United this season, scoring four goals and registering five assists.
The midfielder netted a brace in his side’s 3-1 success over Reading in the FA Cup on Saturday night, and he has been involved in a lot of the team’s attacking work this term.
Ten Hag branded the Brazilian “magnificent” when questioned on him following the win over the Royals.
“We know he’s a great player and that midfield at Real Madrid, with [Luka] Kroos and [Luka] Modric, it was great. He’s capable of that [scoring goals]. We see him as a part of it offensively and he enjoys it as well, when he can come [into] it,” Ten Hag told MUTV.
“What I like is dynamic football with variations, with many positional switches so we have to make the opponent think so that we can take the benefit of it. Casemiro is magnificent.
“In front of the back line, always taking good positions, in and out of position. And he can deal with the ball, he can give the right pass. So, he can accelerate the game and if necessary, he can score.”
Ten Hag also called Old Trafford “a fortress”, with the Red Devils now recording 11 straight wins in all competitions in front of their own supporters.
Man United have not lost at home in any competition since Real Sociedad beat them 1-0 in the Europa League at the start of September.
“This (Old Trafford) is a fortress. But there’s always the next game and the opponent will be motivated and we have to be aware of that,” the Red Devils head coach added.
“You have to make sure you are in the right focus and getting the right energy when you are starting the next game.”
Man United’s next three matches are all at home, facing Nottingham Forest in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final next week and then Crystal Palace and Leeds United in the Premier League on February 4 and February 8 respectively.
SOURCE: sportsmole.co.uk
