CASEMIRO will be a success at Manchester United if Erik ten Hag uses him the right way.
That’s according to La Liga expert and former Red Devils striker Terry Gibson.
The Old Trafford club have settled on a £60million transfer fee with Real Madrid for the 30-year-old midfielder.
Casemiro has already agreed personal terms on a deal worth a whopping £350,000-a-week.
Boss Erik ten Hag is looking to improve his defensive unit following a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brentford.
And Gibson says the Brazilian, if part of the right system, will provide Ten Hag with a sizeable upgrade.
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He told SunSport: “Casemiro is a serial winner in terms of his mentality.
“It might be a tough start for him right now at Man Utd but if you look at his qualities, his pedigree, his career, and his experience – it should be a success.
“But I think it’s important that United use him exactly the same way as Madrid did.
“I think it would be disrespectful to Fred and McTominay [to say he’ll replace them both], but you are talking about a player that’s played for Real Madrid for a decade and won five Champions Leagues.
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“He should be an obvious upgrade. My hope is that he’ll play in front of the back four on his own.
“He should be that first line of defence in front of the back four.
“I hope for United’s sake they can ask him to do exactly the same job he did at Real, which is quite straightforward but he does it really well and really effectively.
“I think he’s better suited playing as that one holding midfield player and allowing others to go and express themselves.”
Gibson lauds Casemiro’s character and insists the three-time La Liga champion will bring some toughness to United’s midfield.
He added: “His aggression is good. I think the Premier League will suit him in terms of aggression.
“In Spain, he got away without picking up a red card. He is clever at making professional fouls, and cynical fouls, yet only picking up one yellow rather than two.
“He’s always been clever enough to get away with it to be honest.
“Personality wise, he is really good. He’s a great personality. He rubs people the wrong way if you don’t support the team he’s playing on.”
Some have suggested that those in charge at Manchester United need to focus on the team rather than trying to build a brand.
Criticism has been fired at the club’s transfer strategy for chasing players who don’t want to come or aren’t available.
However, Gibson reckons Casemiro could start to give the Old Trafford faithful something to cheer about.
He explained: “United supporters will be clapping because he’ll be mopping up danger and putting his foot in, spotting things, covering the fall backs or defending just in front of the back four.
“Of course, that’s what they need. That’s what they’ll be clapping for.
“He’s most effective in covering the gaps that the other players leave, whether that’s his midfield team-mates, full-backs or even centre-backs.
“He’s excellent at attacking set-pieces, getting onto knock downs from corners and free kicks because of his determination and his will to win.
“He isn’t lightning quick, doesn’t get about the pitch a great deal but defensively, he’s solid.
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“If people are expecting him to start bringing the ball down and beating two or three players then they’re interested in Frenkie de Jong, two totally different players.
“Casemiro will catch the eye if Man Utd start conceding less goals, more clean sheets. You know, people might then appreciate his worth.”
Terry Gibson spoke to SunSport on behalf of Spanish football podcast La Liga Weekly.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
