Jamie Redknapp lauded Manchester United summer signing Casemiro (Pictures: Getty)
Jamie Redknapp believes Premier League teams are intimidated by Casemiro, while Gary Neville has given his verdict on the midfielder after Manchester United’s victory over West Ham.
Casemiro has made a significant impact at Old Trafford since his £70m move from Real Madrid over the summer and secured a 1-0 win against David Moyes’ Hammers on Sunday.
Speaking after the match, Redknapp singled out Casemiro for praise and said he had brought ‘authority’ to Erik ten Hag’s side.
‘You have to be impressed,’ Redknapp told Sky Sports. ‘I have looked at United’s midfield for so long and never really seen any combinations or a midfield you would be scared to play against.
‘What he has done is brought so much authority to this team, calm, quality, know-how, knowing when to press, knowing when to intercept, how many times have we seen him just doing that, picking people’s pockets and then playing the right pass.
‘You can see other teams looking at him like, “wow that’s Casemiro there” – he’s got a little bit of spike but he knows where to be. They haven’t had that in midfield. Gary [Neville] played with magnificent midfielders at this club.
‘For a long time I have looked at United’s midfield and thought it is so disjointed, there is no one that can do that job of getting hold of the ball and make the right pass.
‘I thought he was excellent today. Everything he does he makes it look so simple. He played for Real Madrid for so long he knows the game inside-out.’
Former Manchester United defender Neville added: ‘Casemiro is [improving players].
‘None of Eriksen, Casemiro, Fernandes are quick or what you would call true defensive midfielders but you think of that midfield three he played in at Madrid with Kroos and Modric.
‘Then look at him alongside Eriksen and Fernandes, Kroos and Modric are far better players but there are similarities to what we are seeing here in the style.
‘Those three ruled Europe for many years, playing in the biggest games and controlled them but there is something similar to what Casemiro is seeing here to what he seen at Real Madrid.
‘The silkiness and smoothness that gives United a better platform. The big games, City away they struggled a little bit but City come here two weeks after the restart and it will be really interesting to see if Ten Hag goes with that three. That will be the real test.’
Manchester United boss Ten Hag was equalled as impressed with Casemiro’s display at Old Trafford, telling Sky Sports: ‘For me he is brilliant.
‘You can see why he wins five Champions League trophies and acting that long at the top of world football. We see that in every match and every training. He will only get better and better.’
Manchester United’s win – which came courtesy of Marcus Rashford’s 100th goal for the club – saw the Red Devils climb above Chelsea into fifth in the Premier League.
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‘You have to be impressed by him.’