Casemiro says his nightmare performance against Liverpool is the only bad display in what has been a good season for him so far.
The 32-year-old was one of a number of Manchester United players that came in for criticism as the Erik ten Hag era came to an end this season.
However, he looks to have burst back into form since the Dutchman left and Ruud van Nistelrooy has taken over as interim manager.
The Brazilian feels that he is not just playing well now, but has actually been pretty good all season, only struggling in the defeat to Liverpool when the whole side were poor.
The former Real Madrid man was taken off at half-time of the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, replaced by youngster Toby Collyer after being at fault for two goals.
‘I only had the Liverpool game, right?’ said Casemiro of questions over his form. ‘The whole team was not good in that game, or this season.
‘This match, but individually, of course when the goals are missed, of course it ends up hurting the team more, but I think it’s been a good season for me.’
Casemiro has hailed a budding partnership in midfield between himself and summer signing Manuel Ugarte, who he is a fan of on and off the field.
‘I have a good connection with him,’ he said. ‘When one goes forward, the other covers, and vice versa. That is how it has to be, one compliments the other.
‘He is a great person. He’s a good kind of person. Then, little by little he is also showing that he is a national team player from Uruguay, from a team that has good players. Then he has total respect, not only mine, but all the players.’
Casemiro scored in Van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge as United thrashed Leicester 5-2 in the Carabao Cup and the former striker was thrilled for the midfielder.
‘I was delighted for Case, the way he’s been training and helping the team and the club, he’s such an example. You also see the crowd’s reaction and they also know what he’s about,’ said Van Nistelrooy.
‘Of course, going through difficult moments, the Liverpool game, he got a lot of criticism. It was so hard, he was almost the one to blame for that game and it’s not fair, he didn’t deserve that, it was not true.
‘If you see him in training and the way he prepares for games, with the history and all he has achieved with five Champions Leagues, he’s an example for us. That was part of my celebration, I’m happy for him.’
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