In the middle of August, the Red Devils announced they had agreed a deal worth a reported £70million to sign the Brazil international from Real Madrid – though at the time United were in a poor run of form.
Erik ten Hag’s side had lost the first two Premier League matches of his reign, first at home to Brighton and then a heavy defeat away to Brentford.
Casemiro had yet to put pen to paper at that stage, which prompted plenty of mockery from rival fans who suggested the 30-year-old might have second thoughts and back out of the transfer.
But, in reality, Casemiro’s reaction was the complete opposite, with The Mirror reporting that he watched the match from his home in Madrid while negotiations were still taking place.
Once the game was over, the five-time Champions League winner immediately rang up United’s football director John Murtough – who had been leading talks with both the player and Real Madrid.
But, rather than telling him he had doubts about the direction United were heading, he wanted to give assurances that he was even more eager to move to Old Trafford and could not wait to get started.
Although Casemiro has been handed a lucrative deal at United – much more so than was on offer at the Bernabeu had he renewed his contract – money has never been a key factor, with the Brazilian desperate to help revive his new club after a number of trophyless seasons.
He was made to wait six weeks before his first start in the Premier League but has been in excellent form since then, winning United’s Player of the Month award for October and notably scoring a superb headed equaliser against Chelsea.
Casemiro was also impressive in United’s last Premier League clash against West Ham, a narrow 1-0 win, with Ten Hag singling out the veteran midfielder: ‘I call him the cement in the midfield.
‘I think in and out of possession he makes such a difference and he gives the team [an] extra edge and helps them dominate.
‘I say in and out of possession because he can dominate games and he gives the team [that] extra edge to help dominate in the game.
‘He can also read the game and he helps the players by pointing them into the right positions. He is anticipating both in and out of possession and also he sees the pass between the lines.
‘One of the highlights in the game was his pass to [Diogo] Dalot in the first half. He is a top player and I am really happy to have him here.’
MORE : Erik ten Hag responds to suggestion Manchester United should give up on Donny van de Beek
MORE : Erik ten Hag reacts to Casemiro winning Manchester United’s Player of the Month award and discusses Bruno Fernandes dilemma
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