Paul Scholes has suggested that Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is Erik ten Hag's most important player, with the Brazilian ace having impressed since arriving in the summer.
Casemiro signed for the Reds from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window and has made 25 appearances for United - including in the derby against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon. The 30-year-old, who won five Champions League titles with Los Blancos, came off the bench in his first four Premier League matches, but has started every league match since.
United had struggled to rely on a competent defensive midfielder prior to Casemiro's arrival, with Scott McTominay and Fred often being utilised just in front of the back four. However, the Brazilian international has formed a solid partnership with Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes in the centre of the park in recent months and has become undroppable for Erik ten Hag.
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Speaking on BT Sport before United's derby clash with City, Reds legend Scholes claimed that Casemiro was the club's most important player, while also lauding the difference he has made since becoming a regular under Ten Hag.
"Without a shadow of a doubt [he is United’s most important player]," said Scholes. "I couldn’t really understand why it took so long for him to get into the team really, maybe he was just adapting to the conditions and his new teammates over here but as soon as he’s come into the team the difference has been remarkable.
"You think in that first part of the season United were just wasting time adding forward players, because the two players that were in there didn’t have the ability to supply them. Now it’s opened up what talent they have in the forward areas, the speed and power they have.
"I’ve said how that’s brought out Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen’s quality, it just made the team totally different now there’s that link in midfield between defence and attack which was sorely missing in that first part of the season."
Casemiro started alongside Fred and Eriksen in midfield against Pep Guardiola's side on Saturday afternoon, with Fernandes being utilised in a more advanced role.
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