Casemiro says he has been surprised by Erik ten Hag’s ‘obsession with winning’ (EPA)
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro believes Erik ten Hag’s ‘obsession with winning’ is a quality he’s seen in only a few other managers he’s played under.
The Brazil international joined United in a £70 million deal from Real Madrid in the summer and has begun to thrive in Ten Hag’s side after a subdued start to his career at Old Trafford.
United, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions and play Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday evening in a battle for top spot in Group E.
Speaking ahead of United’s Europa League tie, Casemiro was asked what he can learn from Ten Hag having already played under Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Felipe Scolari and Tite.
‘After being in football for quite a while, despite the fact I’m only 30, his [Ten Hag’s] obsession for winning is what surprised me the most,’ Casemiro said.
‘I think he’s got many strengths, we all know it’s a process and we’re growing together. We all see he wants to win and his obsession for teaching us and making us better to the millimetre is key.
‘That obsession with winning is something I’ve only seen with very few managers.’
Casemiro has established himself as a key player for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United (AFP via Getty)
Meanwhile, Ten Hag revealed what motivated Casemiro to leave Real Madrid for United.
‘He told me when we had the first talk he needs a new challenge because with Real Madrid he won everything,’ said Ten Hag.
‘He was a big part of Real Madrid, still they don’t want him to go but he had the feeling I have to go to another club, to another league to prove myself and that shows his hunger, I really like that.
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‘I think from the first day on he is coming with that attitude to every training, to every match and he proves it. I really like it and he will be more and more important to our team.
‘I said it the other day, he is the cement between the stones in and out of possession. You see him growing from game to game and with that, our team is growing.
‘We are really happy with that process but we have to keep that process going, because we are not satisfied, good is not good enough, we have to do better, so tomorrow we have another challenge and another test to do better.’
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‘We all see he wants to win and his obsession for teaching us and making us better to the millimetre is key.’
