Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana hailed the last-gasp contribution of Casemiro as Erik ten Hag’s side secured a ‘very important’ FA Cup fifth round win at Nottingham Forest.
OK, it was certainly not the sort of performance that will have Ineos convinced Erik ten Hag is the right man to take Manchester United back to the top of the tree, sluggish and sloppy on occasions with the same vulnerabilities evident.
But, with Saturday’s dismal home defeat by Fulham still fresh in the memory, the sight of Casemiro stooping to guide an 89th minute Bruno Fernandes free-kick into the Nottingham Forest net still felt like a potentially decisive moment. Not only in United’s season but also possibly in Ten Hag’s Red Devils career.
Casemiro fires Manchester United into FA Cup quarter-finals
It may be a stretch to suggest this could be Ten Hag’s own ‘Mark Robins’ moment’ – CasemiRobins, anyone? – especially with Manchester City to come this weekend and Liverpool awaiting in the quarter-finals.
But, as Ten Hag was keen to point out at full-time, United have won seven out of nine games in all competitions since the turn of the year, and remain in contention to add another domestic trophy to last term’s EFL Cup success.
Just as that Fulham defeat did not spell the end of United’s campaign, this Forest triumph does not save it. But Ten Hag’s garden looks that little bit rosier after a dramatic late win, and a cup knockout.
“Good finish from Case,” Onana, the ever-improving Manchester United goalkeeper, said at full-time. “Very important game for us. I’m happy for the victory.”
Casemiro rolls back the years
The veteran Brazilian now has five goals for United this season. And while he may not be the same ferocious force of old – plenty of miles on the clock at the age of 32 and Saudi Arabia calling – a man who won everything there is to win in the white of Real Madrid still clearly possesses that knack for key contributions with silverware on the line.
“Absolutely, (Casemiro is an example for us because of his) leadership. And he’s a fantastic football player. I think he’s scored so many goals for us,” Ten Hag beams on a night in which Onana again proved his worth, Antony bounced back, and Diogo Dalot and Sofyan Amrabat impressed at full-back.
“He scored more goals than he’s ever done in his whole career, for United, so that is great to have a player like Casemiro in the squad and in the team. Because you see how important he is for us when he is not there, like in October, November, December and January.
“We really missed him because he sets the structure in the team, his leadership, it makes us play better. Also, the quality he has on the ball, of course.”
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