Former Manchester United teammates David de Gea and Casemiro were both on the same wavelength over the transformative impact that one “spectacular” player had.
David de Gea and Casemiro crossed paths with one another at Old Trafford towards the tail end of the Manchester United legend’s stunning playing spell at the club.
Casemiro arrived at the Red Devils ahead of De Gea’s final season at the Premier League club after United signed him from Real Madrid in 2022 in a deal worth £70m.
The 33-year-old former Real Madrid star impressed in his debut season at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag, who was sacked as United manager last October.
De Gea played his final season at the Red Devils under former United manager Erik ten Hag and captured the Premier League Golden Glove at the end of the campaign.
However, the 34-year-old Spaniard would leave Old Trafford after the 2022-23 Premier League season after talks over a new United deal broke down in 2023.
David de Gea shares Man Utd midfielder Casemiro’s stance over the remarkable ability of ‘calm’ and ‘impressive’ legendary player
David de Gea became a free agent in 2023 after his contract with Manchester United expired, despite his willingness to take a pay cut to extend his stay at Old Trafford.
The United legend spent the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign on the sidelines before De Gea marked his long-awaited return to football with Serie A side Fiorentina.
De Gea inked a deal with Fiorentina, as a free agent, last summer and the former Spain international saw out his first season with the club in the 2024-25 campaign.
Speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio, the Fiorentina star was asked about his past teammates and De Gea lavished praise on ex-Spain international Sergio Busquets.
“A spectacular guy with a wonderful family,” De Gea said.
“Do you know how good he is on the pitch? Now, translate that into everyday life, too.
“He revolutionised the role; the number 5 after him was never the same. Such calm and [tranquillity] with the ball… he kept telling me to give him the ball even if I saw him with an opponent on his neck. Impressive.”
What did Casemiro say about Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets ahead of the praise from Man Utd legend David de Gea?
Casemiro is all too familiar with the impact of Sergio Busquets and they had their midfield wars during the El Clasico encounters between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Busquets is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders of all time and shared a formidable midfield trident with Barcelona legends Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, Casemiro hailed Busquets’ transformative impact on Barcelona’s team on the same level as Lionel Messi.
“He was a player who defined an era,” he said in 2024.
“For me, alongside Messi, he was the team’s most important player.
“All due respect to the others, in my opinion, alongside Messi, in Barcelona’s most successful spell, Busquets was the most important player alongside Messi.
“So, it’s great that football has produced such admirable players.”
Busquets is currently playing alongside Barcelona icon Lionel Messi at MLS outfit Inter Miami after the Spanish World Cup winner left the Camp Nou in 2023.
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