Antony has described compatriot Casemiro as Manchester United’s new “guard dog” and hailed his teammate as a “no-nonsense guy”.
The Brazilian midfielder scored his first goal since a summer move from Real Madrid to snatch a dramatic late point against Chelsea.
After displacing Scott McTominay from the lead holding role in Erik ten Hag’s midfield, the 30-year-old has become an increasingly key figure, also impressing in the win against Tottenham last week.
Teammates with the five-time Champions League winner for club and country, Antony believes the tough tackling Casemiro is a crucial component as Ten Hag begins to build his preferred side.
“I always say he’s our guard dog in the middle,” the winger, a fellow summer recruit to Old Trafford, told the Manchester United website. “He’s a no-nonsense guy, a more serious type.”
The midfielder was not a prolific goalscorer during eight full seasons in the Spanish capital, registering 31 times in more than 330 appearances, largely from a deeper role, and scoring only once in his final season with Real Madrid.
But Casemiro showed his aerial prowess with a powerful header that looped beyond Kepa and crept in at the far post to open his account for Manchester United with a timely stoppage time equaliser at Stamford Bridge.
The 65-cap international insists, though, that his primary focus is on his key defensive role.
“I think the goals have to come naturally,” the 30-year-old told the club’s matchday publication, United Review.
“Everybody knows my work. My role is defensive - to help my team-mates and bring the ball out from the back with quality.
“I defend, first of all, and provide balance to the team. I help my team-mates with defensive work, bring the ball out with quality, that is my job.
“Of course, a goal here or there is nice but doing my job and defending well comes first.”
