Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag (c) celebrates with Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (L) and Manchester United's Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot after the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on August 27, 2022. - Manchester United won 0-1. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Casemiro has opened up on his first impressions of Erik ten Hag as the Brazilian eyes a prolonged stay in the side after making his first Premier League start against Everton last week.
The former Real Madrid general joined United in August but endured a slow start to life in Manchester, with Scott McTominay’s impressive performances keeping him out of the side.
He has now started three straight games in all competitions and he’s set for a fourth on Sunday as McTominay is suspended for the game against Newcastle.
Speaking ahead of that encounter, Casemiro has hailed Ten Hag for his ‘desire’ and ‘ambition’, insisting that they are qualities adopted by his coaching staff as well.
“I believe it’s his desire to win, his ambition, his hard work. Not just him but all the coaching staff,” Casemiro is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.
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“They always want to win, they never get complacent. They’re always looking to do something new, always wanting to make a difference in games.
“I believe Manchester United have a great manager, it was there to see at Ajax, I think he’s doing a good job here.”
SN’s verdict…
It goes without saying that United’s acquisition of Casemiro was a surprising one but it was also highly necessary. Casemiro is one of the best in his position and the few times he has started, that has already been on display.
The expectation was always that he was going to slowly be embedded into the side, even though it may have taken longer than some might have anticipated.
He’s in good form now, however, and he’ll be hoping to keep that up going into this winter’s World Cup – Brazil are one of the favourites to win the tournament.
