Manchester United star Casemiro has been praised as the ‘most important signing since Eric Cantona’ by a club employee, according to a new report.
Casemiro joined United from Real Madrid in the summer, with the signing seen as a huge coup given his incredible success with the Spanish giants.
The Brazilian won 18 trophies with Real, including five Champions League titles, and it was hoped he could use that experience to inspire United’s squad to future success under Erik ten Hag.
He quickly became one of the side’s key players, and lifted a trophy for the first time since arriving in English football last Sunday after United’s 2-0 win over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
Casemiro was one of three players, alongside Raphael Varane and David de Gea, to be praised by Ten Hag for their experience after the match, with the Dutchman stating (via Daily Mail): “They know how to win trophies.
“You need them on the pitch to organise the team, especially mentally and they have a winning attitude that they bring into the dressing room.”
Man Utd Casemiro signing praised
In a new report from The Times, a veteran club employee is said to have called Casemiro the ‘most important signing since Eric Cantona’, such has been his impact on the United side.
It is claimed that Ten Hag took a ‘personal role’ in Casemiro’s recruitment, and that United had been attempting to sign him for much of the summer window.
Although controversial at times during his stint at Old Trafford, Cantona had a huge impact on the side following his move from Leeds for a fee of £1 million in 1992.
He helped United to their first title of the Premier League era in 1993, one of nine trophies he won whilst playing for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
He scored 82 goals in 185 appearances for the Red Devils, but his biggest impact was playing a leading role in converting United into a fearsome attacking unit that would dominate English football for the next 20 years.
Speaking to Sky Sports in 2016, former United team-mate Paul Ince said of Cantona: “He just had that aura and presence about him.
“He took the responsibility away from us players. It was like he said, ‘I’m Eric, and I’m here to win the title for you’.”
With Casemiro now at the heart of United’s midfield, the club are already dreaming of huge success under Erik ten Hag – and he could go on to be regarded in a similar way to Cantona.
