Manchester United’s season is still alive and kicking after a crucial FA Cup win away at Nottingham Forest.
There is still a chance for Manchester United to win a trophy this season, with the club booking a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
This came after United beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 last night, with Casemiro heading in a late free-kick from a Bruno Fernandes assist.
United will take on Liverpool in the next round, hosting the game at Old Trafford. It could be a memorable day.
Casemiro praised
Casemiro’s header was an illustration of his determination to keep battling to the end, taking a gamble to connect with Fernandes’ free-kick.
He was lauded by manager Erik ten Hag at full-time, who told club media: “Absolutely, [Casemiro is an example] by leadership and he’s a fantastic football player. I think he’s scored so many goals for us.
“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.”
Amrabat praised
Casemiro was not the only player to earn praise from his manager, with the Dutchman impressed with Sofyan Amrabat, who was filling in at left-back.
Ten Hag said of the loanee: “For Sofyan, he is not a full-back, but he played a solid game, especially I think after 55 minutes when he played in the middle [when we were] in possession.
“Then also, he understood what to do in the defending, in the rest defence, and from that moment on we took the control.”
Amrabat may be forced to fill in at left-back against City at the weekend too, with the injury crisis showing no signs of slowing up just yet.
His performance will provide some confidence that United may be able to cope. It’s not ideal, but with characters like Casemiro and Amrabat in the team, you can be assured they will not give up, and will fight for every ball, the kind of commitment you need in a derby.
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