Rio Ferdinand hailed the contribution of Casemiro during Man Utd’s impressive 2-0 win over Tottenham (Picture: Vibe with Five)
Rio Ferdinand is confident Manchester United fans are finally going to see the best of summer signing Casemiro and hailed the experienced midfielder as ‘the glue’ in Erik ten Hag’s rapidly improving side.
The Red Devils delivered their most accomplished and dominant performance to date under their new manager last night as they swept Spurs aside at Old Trafford thanks to second half goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes.
A 2-0 scoreline hardly reflected United’s near total dominance as the home side exerted a measure of control that they have struggled to achieve since the Dutchman succeeded Ralf Rangnick in the summer.
Central to an authoritative display was the performance of Casemiro who was forced to bide his time and wait for an opportunity to cement a starting place in United’s engine room, following his high-profile move from Real Madrid.
‘I saw control,’ Ferdinand told Vibe with Five. ‘That’s one of the best things. We saw in the first half we had 19 shots and I’m sitting there thinking we’ve done everything but score.
‘We were controlled and Casemiro, the moment he’s got in the team and got a run in the team, he’s produced performances that we expected.
‘The biggest thing is he’s the glue in the team and he’s allowing other players to go and perform. He protects the back four but he releases the midfielders to go and do their creative stuff.
Casemiro was congratulated by Patrice Evra after Man Utd’s win over Tottenham (Picture: Getty)
‘He’s a fabulous acquisition. I don’t know what the manager was waiting for. He’s someone who looks like he likes a winning team and continuing with personnel. I thought Casemiro positionally today was immense.’
The Brazil international’s experience and nous appears also to be rubbing off on his teammates and aiding his compatriot Fred who has been a divisive figure with fans over the course of United career to date.
Ferdinand added: ‘Fred does what Fred does. At times he gives the ball away here and there.
‘That’s what Casemiro brings, he makes other players better and I think that he could be just what Fred needed.
‘He’s that someone to give him that little bit of discipline, to talk them trough a game as in when you run out and use your energy or when you stay and remain in good shape. I think that’s what Fred lacked.
‘e never lacked worth ethic or desire just sometimes it gets the better of him and leaves the team wide open.’
MORE : Thierry Henry explains Bruno Fernandes’ drop off in goals and assists at Manchester United
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Follow Metro on Snapchat
You can follow our new Snapchat show Pop Cultur’d, the go-to place for all things pop culture.
Keep up with the latest Showbiz exclusives by following Metro Showbiz on Snapchat.
And football fans can indulge in all the transfer gossip and more on Metro Football on Snapchat.
The Red Devils produced their best performance so far under Eirk ten Hag in a 2-0 win over Spurs.