Manchester United’s midfield is similar to what Casemiro had at Real Madrid, says Gary Neville

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Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes Erik ten Hag’s midfield is similar to what Casemiro had during his trophy-filled time at Real Madrid.

After slowly being eased into the United starting line-up, following his big money, the former Ajax manager has frequently started the Brazilian enforcer alongside playmakers Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.

United’s number 18 is considered the destroyer who protects the backline and glues the team together whereas Eriksen and Fernandes are two players who primarily want to create chances, score goals and contribute in the attacking third.

During his time with Los Blancos, Casemiro played alongside two of the modern great midfield technicians in Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, and the trio dominated the Champions League and have all won Europe’s biggest club competition five times.

Manchester United’s midfield is similar to what Casemiro had at Real Madrid says Gary Neville

While under no illusion that no direct comparison can be made to Casemiro, Modric and Kroos, due to what the trident achieved in the Spanish capital, the former United and England right-back believes there are similarities with United’s first choice midfield.

Speaking on Sky Sports via Football Daily, Neville said: “None of them [Casemiro, Fernandes and Eriksen] are quick, none of them are box-to-box, none of them are what you’d call true defensive midfield players of the sort of style you’d expect.

“But you think of that midfield three he [Casemiro] played in at Madrid with Kroos and Modric, and you think of Eriksen and Fernandes now and how they are, and Kroos and Modric I think are far better players than Fernandes and Eriksen, but there is a similarity to what we’re seeing here with the style.

“I’m not saying they’re as good as those three because those three ruled Europe for many, many years and played in the biggest games and controlled them.

“But there is something similar to what Casemiro is seeing here with what he saw at Real Madrid with those two players – with that kind of silkiness and smoothness to them that gives Manchester United a better platform.”

Manchester United haven’t had such a talented midfield trio, who are so comfortable in possession, dominating games for years.

And it’s no coincidence that the twenty-time league champions are unbeaten in the Premier League when Casemiro has started.

Ten Hag’s men have picked up 10 points from the five top-flight games the 65-time Brazil international has started.