Roy Keane has heaped praise on Casemiro, lauding the former Real Madrid midfielder following his two-goal performance in Saturday's FA Cup win against Reading.
The Brazilian opened the scoring with a deftly executed chip over Joe Lumley in the Reading goal after a superbly timed run in the 54th minute. He added to his tally just four minutes later with a thunderous striker which took a deflection off Royals defender on its way into the bottom corner of the net.
The midfielder has become a key cog in the United machine under Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman's team still in all competitions which they have entered this season. However, he has surpassed expectations with his impact in the final third, with two assists and two goals in his last two matches alone.
ALSO READ: Maguire explains what was said in dressing room at half-time vs Reading
The five-time Champions League winner has emerged as an influential player after a slow start at United and former Red Devils skipper Roy Keane has praised his impact and how he has developed his role. At Madrid, Casemiro was very much seen as the anchor of the midfield, allowing Toni Kroos and Luka Modric to thrive in more advanced areas.
However, this perception has shifted according to Keane who explained the change in role while on punditry duty for ITV on Saturday night. Keane said: "He’s been a huge signing. Over the last few years Man United, particularly in and around the middle of the park, have lacked a quality player, a big personality, a guy with a bit of presence. Again, he’s a top quality player and we see it week-in week-out. He affects games.
"Before he came there was this perception that he was a sitting midfielder because he was working with players at Real Madrid who were more attacking-minded, but we’re now seeing over the last few months he’s got so much quality going forward in terms of the final pass, and he’s getting goals as well as being very good defensively so huge signing for Manchester United, he looks like a really big personality which United needed."
Win a pair of tickets to the Premier League or Women's Super League match of your choosing! Enter below. CLICK HERE
READ NEXT:
