Manchester United are a side on the up under Erik ten Hag - and club legends have made it clear they approve of the job he is doing.
The Dutchman has transformed the Red Devils from underachievers into a side on course for the Premier League top four - but certain players have been crucial. That has never been more evident than against Newcastle, when they looked dismal without Casemiro.
Numerous former players have praised Ten Hag for the job he has done, both in terms of on-field performances and transfer business off it. And Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney have both highlighted the same three outfield players - Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Marcus Rashford - as the key trio in the current side.
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Rooney, United's all-time record goalscorer, told The Times. "On the pitch, Casemiro has done a lot to bring the mentality change and Raphael Varane looks more settled and bringing his winning experience to the group. And then there’s Marcus Rashford.
"If you think back to only a year ago, Marcus was in and out of the starting XI, hardly scoring, playing in different positions and the smile I remembered from that lovely kid who came through the ranks and broke into our team when I was captain was gone.
"Now, he looks a totally different player and to be in a great place off the pitch as well. You can see he is enjoying his football and is more positive in his running. He penetrates with his runs off the ball and commits defenders when he’s on the ball – doing everything I wrote about wanting to see from him."
Rooney singling out those three players ties-in with the comments made by Gary Neville last month. When asked who is Manchester United's most important player, he name-dropped the same trio and also included goalkeeper David de Gea.
"In order, I'd go: Casemiro, Rashford, De Gea and Varane in equal third at this moment in time. I can't believe I'm saying that, I mean forget Casemiro he wasn't here last year," Neville told Sky Sports.
"But I can't believe I'm saying that Varane, De Gea and Rashford have elevated themselves into a position now where you feel they're in great form, without them, you saw last night De Gea made saves, Rashford had to come on, Casemiro had to come on.
"Varane didn't come on [vs West Ham], but I do feel like he's the most important centre-back now, particularly in the big matches and that's why he was rested and gets rested for the bigger games.
"Obviously he has injury problems sometimes and has done in the last two or three years. But Casemiro, closely followed by Rashford. But then I'd go Varane and De Gea in third position equally."
