Legendary pundit Eamon Dunphy feels Casemiro is Manchester United's best signing in a decade.
And Dunphy thinks the Brazilian is the main reason behind United's improvement this season.
"In last year's Champions League final, he stood up for Real Madrid when it mattered most. He was 30 years old and had already won the Champions League four times. But he fought for every blade of grass on that pitch to make sure that he got the fifth medal,'' he said in his Irish Daily Star column.
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"When Erik ten Hag brought him to United a couple of months later, there were eyebrows raised.
"He was going to a team that wouldn't even be playing in the Champions League this season, a team that hadn't won any kind of trophy since 2017, a team that were sixth last season - a staggering 35 points off top spot.
"Was Casemiro winding down his career and just chasing one more big pay cheque?
"But we know for sure now that his fire still burns as brightly as ever. Indeed, he has been one of the players of the season."
United have struggled to find a dominant central midfielder in recent times.
In Casemiro, Dunphy feels they have the real deal - someone to rank with the legends of the past.
"The FA Cup game with Reading was one where Casemiro could have cruised,'' he added.
"He wasn't signed to do the business in the Cup against Reading so his performance was all the more remarkable.
"Casemiro played as if the stakes couldn't have been higher.
"Not for the first time in a red shirt, he reminded me of Roy Keane.
"Taking the game to opponents, doing what has to be done.
"He is also one of first real leaders United have had in the post-Ferguson era.
"Not only is there still a bite to Casemiro's game, there is also a calmness and composure.
"He is the main reason why United have improved significantly this season.''
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