Graeme Souness has doubled down on his view that Casemiro is a ‘Steady Eddie’ for Manchester United, saying he still does not believe he is a “great player”.
The midfielder was one of United’s best players this season following his switch from Real Madrid in August. The Brazilian was essential to the club’s top-four finish and League Cup success, the Reds missing his defensive cushion when not available.
Casemiro also had an impact at the other end of the field, netting seven goals and grabbing six assists in 51 appearances. Upon his signing in August, Souness said he was not overly impressed by the 31-year-old, despite his trophy-laden stint in Madrid.
He said at the time: “The Real Madrid and that midfield, in particular, was full of footballing types. I see him as being a Steady Eddie.
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“I never think ‘I’m really excited to watch Casemiro’. I think he’ll make them [United] more solid when he’s on the ball because he senses danger and is experienced.”
Since leaving Sky Sports earlier this year, Souness has swam the English channel for charity Debra, raising more than £1m for research into a cure for epidermolysis bullosa.
While on air on Tuesday, one United fan rang into talkSPORT and said: “I will immediately donate £20 [to the fundraiser] right now if you, on air, go back on your ‘Steady Eddie’ comment on Casemiro.”
Souness responded: “No, no. I still believe that. I would be happy to be called a Steady Eddie. Someone that is a seven-and-a-half out of 10 every week.
"I don’t think he is spectacular. I still stand by that and I don’t think I am wrong on that. He is a good player but you would never describe him as a great player.”