27 February 2023 , 13:50
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Casemiro has been hailed for uniting the dressing room at Manchester United, a feat superstar attacker Cristiano Ronaldo failed to achieve.
The Brazilian joined the Red Devils in the summer transfer window and has gone on to have a stunning impact at Old Trafford. He has quickly become a key player under United boss Erik ten Hag, mking 33 appearances in all competitions.
He put in a man of the match display as the Red Devils finally ended their six-year wait for a trophy on Sunday. The midfielder scored United's opening goal as they defeated Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final, with Marcus Rashford going on to seal the win.
It was a performance that has earned him high plaudits, including from Garth Crooks. The former Tottenham star has insisted that Casemiro has now surpassed Ronaldo in being able to unite what was a fractured dressing room.
"What a professional Casemiro has turned out to be for United. He could, at the age of 31 and having achieved all the success he has in his career with Real Madrid, sat on his fat contract living on easy street," Crooks wrote for BBC Sport.
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"Instead he has come to Old Trafford determined to transform the fortunes of a club that was on its knees when he arrived. The football was dire, the dressing room toxic and results poor.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who was man of the match as Manchester United won the Carabao Cup? Comment below.
Casemiro delivered a man of the match performance to help Manchester United win the Carabao Cup (AP)"The Brazilian has slowly got his team-mates playing again and now winning trophies. His performance against Newcastle in the EFL Cup final was a leader's performance.
"Casemiro has done precisely what Cristiano Ronaldo failed to do and that was unite a dressing room - and he is acquiring special status very quickly among the United fans."
The Brazilian international was delighted to be part of the team that ended United's long trophy drought. But he insisted that the team still have much more work to do to close the gap on the Premier League's top sides.
"People who already know me understand I go after the ball as if it's a plate of food. This is my character, that didn't happen because it was a final or whatever. I attack every ball as if it was the last one," Casemiro said.
"I celebrate like this because I'm enjoying it here. I left a great club, came to England and people wondered why. Moments like these are the answer. We all know this is only the beginning, but it doesn't mean we can't be happy.
"It's one more trophy for me and I always welcome it, regardless of the competition. We're growing and gaining respect in this country. But it's early days and we have to keep improving.
"We're understanding our manager's philosophy and we will keep growing. My history has always been about winning since I was a kid, so here it isn't any different. I'm here to help my team-mates and Manchester United."