Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. was on hand to praise Casemiro after the Brazilian returned to action with a typically dominant display against Barcelona on Thursday evening.
Casemiro enjoyed a break from his three-game domestic suspension to start in United's 2-2 Europa League first-leg draw at Camp Nou. Marcus Rashford's arrowed finish and an own-goal from Jules Kounde swiftly turned a one-goal deficit into a lead for the Reds, before Raphinha's cross curled past David de Gea to restore parity going into next week's Old Trafford meeting.
Midfield general Casemiro is two games into his domestic three-match ban, but made an instant return to the line-up in familiar territory in Catalonia. The 30-year-old had played 19 times against El Clasico rivals during his time in Madrid, and some of his former teammates were watching with vested interests.
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As with every game since arriving for £60million last summer, the Brazilian anchored the United midfield with another solid and assured display, marshalling the central area in front of his back four as the fluid trio of Pedri, Gavi and Raphinha linked up.
After the result, United’s No.18 took to Instagram to react to the game, saying: “Good job lads! All to play for in the second leg at Old Trafford!”
And Brazil teammate Vinicius Jr. responded in the comments: “Joga muito”, which translates in English to “Plays well”.
After serving the last game of his suspension for Sunday's game against Leicester City, Casemiro will once again be fit and ready to welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford next week. The Brazilian may well be joined by both Lisandro Martinez and Marcel Sabitzer, who were both serving their own respective bans for the first leg in Spain.
Barcelona, meanwhile, could be without three key midfielders for the return game in Manchester, with Gavi suspended following his third booking while Pedri and Sergio Busquets are carrying injuries.
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