Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia praised teammate Casemiro after the Reds' Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
Erik ten Hag's side secured a 3-0 victory over their Premier League rivals thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes. United will take a commanding lead into the second-leg, which will be played at Old Trafford next week.
The Reds named a strong side for the clash with Steve Cooper's men, with Casemiro returning to the starting line-up after being suspended for the Premier League defeat by Arsenal at the weekend. The Brazilian enforcer was missed at the base of midfield as the Gunners scored late to win 3-2 at the Emirates.
ALSO READ: Weghorst praises two United teammates after win against Nottingham Forest
Casemiro has made 27 appearances for United since joining the club from Real Madrid in the summer, and the 30-year-old has formed a good understanding with Christian Eriksen and Fernandes in midfield. He has also registered two goals and five assists for Ten Hag's side this term.
The former Los Blancos man was impressive in the comfortable win over Forest on Wednesday night - with Malacia quick to praise his teammate after the victory.
"Top class player," the Dutch defender wrote on Instagram, alongside a clapping emoji.
United legend Roy Keane was also full of praise for the Brazilian, hailing him as a 'huge player' for the club and insisting that it is evidenced by the impact he has on his teammates.
"He’s a huge player for them," Keane said on Sky Sports. "We obviously saw at the weekend when he wasn’t playing [how United missed him]. He’s a big personality, has won the big trophies before. He affects games, is obviously very good defensively and pretty good on the ball, let me tell you.
"Big strong boy, big personality he makes the players around him better, that’s what great players do. We’ve seen him so far, you’re thinking when he came to the club, big signing, big expectations.
"But he does the simple things well, can see a pass, he can the ball, his awareness - it’s not just about winning the ball back it's about the next bit, it’s that bit of quality, that pass, the pace of it. That’s what the really good players do."
It remains to be seen if Casemiro will start in the FA Cup fourth round clash with Championship side Reading at the weekend, but given he missed the Arsenal match, it would not come as a surprise to see him feature.
Win a pair of tickets to the Premier League or Women's Super League match of your choosing! Enter below. CLICK HERE
READ NEXT:
