Casemiro was back to his brilliant best for Manchester United with one former England international labelling the Brazilian ‘absolutely sensational’ after the 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
After powering home a trademark header – converting Mason Mount’s first assist in Manchester United colours – you could almost see the metaphorical weight lifted from Casemiro’s shoulders.
Arguably no member of Erik ten Hag’s squad has faced more criticism than him in the opening weeks of the new campaign, and this was some way to remind his critics that class is, indeed, permanent.
Casemiro shines in Manchester United win
“Honestly, it was absolutely sensational,” Andros Townsend, the former England, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton winger, tells Sky Sports (26 September, 10pm).
“He was a joy to watch today.”
Casemiro may be known better for his crunching tackles than his playmaking ability. But, as Man United dominated nearly 70 per cent of the possession and mustered over 400 passes more than their visitors, the former Real Madrid enforcer relished the opportunity to showcase the variety and the creativity of his passing, piercing the Crystal Palace lines like a dagger and setting up Anthony Martial was a gorgeous cross from the right-hand side.
The again, paired with the highly-energetic Hannibal Mejbri, Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat – rather than an ageing Christian Eriksen and a seemingly-disinterested Scott McTominay – it is perhaps no surprise that Casemiro looked a man reborn.
‘Absolutely sensational’
“I think, the first half, it was the vision to switch the play. And then, the second half, once Palace came out and started leaving gaps, he – without even looking – was wrapping passes between the lines, playing no-look passes,” Townsend adds.
“He was absolutely sensational. Even in Martial’s goal. The care in the pass… it was an absolute joy to watch.”
With his 32nd birthday only a few months away, perhaps this – Amrabat, Mount and/or Mejbri doing the running for him – is the key to prolonging Casemiro’s Manchester United career.
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