Luke Shaw explains what Manchester United players ‘always say’ to Casemiro in training

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Casemiro returns to first team action for Manchester United this week after sitting out the last two matches through suspension.

The timing could be crucial, with the Brazilian rested up at a key point in the season when the conversation was beginning to turn to ‘will he ever get a rest’.

Now ahead of two important games against Barcelona, and the Carabao Cup final, Casemiro has had a well-timed rest.

Manchester United have been learning how to play without Casemiro all over again, and it has not been straightforward. Luke Shaw admitted this in a pre-match press conference.

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Shaw on Casemiro

Luke Shaw has been tested at both left-back and centre-back in recent games and has seen first-hand how difficult it has been to replace Casemiro.

Shaw says he is looking forward to Casemiro being back in the side, and explains how United’s players show their affection to him in training sessions, complimenting his ability to win the ball back.

Quoted by the club website, Shaw said: “I think it’s been quite obvious to see how important he is to the team when he’s not been playing.

“For us as defenders, he gives us that feeling that we know there’s a lot of security, especially because of his positioning, where he always is.

“He loves to win the ball back and tackle. We always say to him that he likes to give the ball away so he can go and win it back!

“I think he’s an extremely important player for us and I’m very happy to have him back tomorrow night because, like I said, he’s been a big miss for us.”

Casemiro has experience playing against Barcelona with Real Madrid, which has been mixed as those contests often are. He once scored in the El Clasico, at the Bernabeu in 2016.

The midfielder was once involved in a war of words with Barcelona boss Xavi over midfield styles, and could have a point to prove over the two upcoming matches.

Whatever the outcome of the next two games against Barcelona, United will be better off for having Casemiro in the side. This is a fact the United team openly acknowledge.

The £60 million United paid for Casemiro in the summer is already looking cheap.