BT Sport pundit Robbie Savage is backing Casemiro to win Manchester United's Player of the Year award.
The Brazilian, who joined the Reds from Spanish giants Real Madrid last August, has enjoyed an exceptional debut campaign at Old Trafford, playing a key role in the club's resurrection under Erik ten Hag. Joining forces with fellow summer signing Christian Eriksen as well as Bruno Fernandes, he has transformed the Reds' midfield.
Adding a winning mentality to the squad, Casemiro has proven to be just the kind of midfield signing that United were craving. He has the ability to dominate games and his importance has been highlighted on several occasions throughout the season when he has been unavailable through suspension.
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The former Madrid ace, however, is not the only player who has played a key role in United's improvements this season, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford having also played their parts at both ends of the pitch. Rashford has been one of the Reds' biggest successes this season, scoring 29 goals.
Savage, speaking to United's club website, said: "You're looking at the performances, who's influenced the team the most?
"Antony, in recent weeks, has come good. He's adapted now to the Premier League and looks good. Casemiro, Rashford and Martinez, those three, [David] De Gea has got the most clean sheets in the Premier League.
"The hardest thing to do is score goals and Rashford has been absolutely sensational. He's got his confidence back and looks the player everybody thought he would be."
Whittling down his shortlist to just three names, Savage added: "[It's] between Martinez, Casemiro and Rashford, those three. If I was saying right now: who would Manchester United miss the most for the longest period in the team, who affects the team the most? Is it Rashford or Casemiro or Martinez?
"I would probably think Casemiro because when he's not played or he's played poorly, you look at the results. So I would say Casemiro."
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