Former Manchester United star Nicky Butt has conceded his first impressions of Casemiro were off the mark and that the midfielder has been “amazing” this season.
The Brazilian was slowly integrated into the side, coming off the bench in his first four games but has since started every Premier League game he’s been available for.
There were a handful of sceptics about his £60m summer arrival, who were worried he had only come to Old Trafford for the money after a trophy-laden stay at Real Madrid.
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Butt was one of those, although he has now admitted he was wrong to hold that concern. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “I didn’t think he [Casemiro] took to it that well when he started.
“I thought he looked heavy and sluggish. I don’t know if he had trained well before he came. I wasn’t sure he could run. But what he’s done since he took off after three or four games has been amazing. Man of the match every week. He’s a bit of an old throwback midfielder.”
Butt added: “I must admit I thought he was an ageing player leaving one big club and coming to another one for money, if I am honest. But what he has done, he looks like a proper leader, a proper guy.
“I always look at people and think I would like to play with him and he is one of them.” Casemiro scored in last Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, his fifth goal for the club this season.
The Wembley triumph has mightily encouraged United fans about possible further future success with the club third in the Premier League table and still in the FA Cup and Europa League.
However, ex-United and Newcastle star Butt was tentative about declaring the Reds as “back” within the elite just yet. He added: “If you know football would you say they are back? I wouldn’t say United are back,” Butt said.
“I don’t want to sound bitter because what Erik ten Hag is doing is great but they have to kick on and get better. For me being fourth is not Man United. I remember we used to finish second and were told if it happened again the next season we would be sold.
“You can always say it’s the old days but that was the mentality of the club back then. If you were gonna finish second you may as well finish seventh.” Regarding the manager, he outlined: “Ten Hag seems to be the man and has it all sorted out, not taking any c**p.
“He knows what he wants and seems to have the respect of people above him to let him make decisions. So all that’s great.
“The players I still think there are some good ones in there but the recruitment team has a big job on its hands to get to the next level.”
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