Manchester United legend Roy Keane is very pleased with the signing of Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro.
Erik ten Hag brought Casemiro to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.
The signing was criticised by some, as many pundits wondered why the Red Devils paid £62million and offered a four-year contract to a 30-year-old.
However, the high fee and long contract has been fully justified in the performances put in by the Real Madrid legend so far this season.
As well as having the incredible ability to break up play and start attacks, Casemiro actually has an eye for goal, as was shown in Saturday night’s FA Cup win over Reading.
The Brazil international scored one cheeky chip before a long-range effort gave United a convincing lead against the Championship outfit.
After another terrific display, former United captain Keane waxed lyrical.
“He’s been a huge signing,” Keane told ITV.
“Over the last few years for Man United , particularly in the middle of the park, they’ve lacked a quality player with a big personality, a guy with a bit of presence.
“He’s a top-quality player. We see it week in, week out. He affects games.
“Before he came there was this perception he’s a sitting midfielder because of working with different players at Real Madrid, players who are more attack-minded.
“But we’re now seeing over the last few months he’s got so much quality going forward in terms of the final pass and he’s getting goals, as well as being very, very good defensively.
“A huge signing for Man United and a big personality, which Man United needed.”
The five-time Champions League winner has completely transformed United’s midfield in a short space of time.
While the club’s strong campaign can be attributed to the work put in by Ten Hag, as well as the resurgence of Marcus Rashford, Casemiro has arguably been the Red Devils’ best player this term.
Ten Hag has barely rotated his side this season and named another strong starting XI for the match against Reading.
The Dutch manager has refused to complain about the hectic schedule while fielding strong teams.
He said following the game: “We know what the fixture schedule is, we have to deal with this.
“At clubs we have to set squads and squads are big enough to deal with it and I think players like to play.
“You can build and construct a good team when you play often and, in my perspective, when you play often the same you are getting the routines in.”
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