Manchester United unveiled new signing Casemiro on the pitch ahead of their 2-1 win over Liverpool on Monday night.
The 30-year-old joins the club from Real Madrid for a fee of £60million on a five-year deal.
Boss Erik ten Hag will hope the Brazilian international will help anchor the Red Devils’ midfield, which has been lambasted over the last few weeks.
United did, however, turn in a vastly improved performance against the Reds at Old Trafford, and with Casemiro’s added nous in the engine room, there is hope his signing could be a catalyst for their season.
More than anything, United need characters and leaders, and the new man appears to be one of those. His comments about former team-mate Gareth Bale earlier this year point to what type of player United are getting.
Bale endured a fractured relationship with Real Madrid supporters, especially in the final months of his Bernabeu career, and was booed by his own fans when he came on the pitch as second-half substitute against Getafe back in April.
Bale was unfazed by the reception and smiled as he ran onto the pitch, with his subsequent touches of the ball also bringing a chorus of boos.
But Casemiro was extremely unhappy with the fans' actions and slammed them in a later press conference.
"When one player is whistled at, we all get whistled at. I don't agree when this happens," the Brazilian publicly said.
"We have to support him. I don't like the way Bale was whistled the other day because he is a historic player for this club.
"When you whistle at a player like that you whistle at the history of this club. If we are all together, we are all together.
"I want the Bernabeu to make my hair stand on end. We are counting on the support of the public."
It takes a brave player to stand up to a club's supporters and shows the strength of character needed at Old Trafford.
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