Leeds United star Rodrigo has told Spanish outlet COPE that Manchester United “needed” a player like Casemiro, as they lacked a holding midfielder at the base of their midfield. Casemiro was confirmed on Monday evening.
The 30-year-old midfielder has completed a move to Manchester United in a deal believed to be worth £60million. He finally sees a well-established, world-class holding midfielder move to Old Trafford – after years of needing one.
The Real Madrid icon and 63-time Brazil international has penned a four-year deal at Old Trafford. It will see him remain at the club until he is 34. Many have criticised the signing given his age, but Rodrigo does not agree.
Indeed, the Leeds star put rivalry between the two clubs aside to applaud Manchester United for luring the midfielder to Old Trafford. He says Casemiro is the type of player United have lacked, and he will give them “balance”.
“United needed a player like him [Casemiro], experienced, they lacked an axis that would give them balance,” Leeds star Rodrigo said, during an interview with Spanish radio station COPE this week.
Leeds ace Rodrigo: Manchester United needed player like Casemiro
Rodrigo is right. Manchester United have needed a player like Casemiro for years. This season, their holding-midfield options are just Scott McTominay and Fred – and Erik ten Hag has persevered with playing only one of these at a time.
Indeed, he has partnered Christian Eriksen behind Bruno Fernandes in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Or, both Eriksen and Fernandes either side of a McTominay or a Fred. Adding Casemiro into the mix instantly improves United, considerably.
The feel-good factor, apart from the emotions towards the owners of the club, are beginning to return. Casemiro, a win over Liverpool, an identity under ten Hag. It is starting to look like United are moving in the right direction.
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