Casemiro's winning mentality key to Manchester United's hopes in FA Cup final

There were several eyebrows raised whenBrazil midfielder Casemiro completed his move to Manchester United in August Would he still have enough motivation after nine trophyfilled years at Real Madrid Could he adapt quickly enough to the English gameWas a 30yearold defensive midfielder really worth USD 60 million and a reported weekly wage of USD 435000 The answers without doubt have been yes yes and absolutely yes Take away Erling Haaland and the signing that had the biggest impact in English soccer this season is surely Casemiro who in the words of his coach has exceeded expectations by farHe keeps surprising you Hes such a brilliant football player United manager Erik ten Hag said If theres one player Ten Hag would want to have available for the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday its Casemiro Quite simply the difference with and without him is hugeCasemiro started 24 of Uniteds 38 league games this season and was a substitute in four others According to statistics compiled by the Who Scored website United conceded an average of less than a goal a game when Casemiro was in the team and 15 goals when he wasnt He made 32 tackles per game in the Premier League the third highest behind Fulhams Joao Palhinha and Leeds Tyler AdamsUnited conceded 57 goals in the league last season With Casemiro stationed in front of the defense that number was down to 43 this season as United secured a return to the Champions League and all the riches that brings So yes Casemiro really was worth itAlso ReadFive most memorable Manchester derbies as City United head into FA Cup finalTen Hag noted upon arriving at United at the end of last season that a leader in central midfield was the biggest thing missing in a team which had been getting by with an oftmaligned McFred Scott McTominay and Fred axisWe studied this and we searched for this it was not easy because there arent many in the profile who fits to the standard of Manchester United We know him as very good with organization anticipation winning duels fighting and keeping the team together But in possession his passing distribution and finishing is very important Ten Hag said before listing what Casemiro bringsMore than that his winning mentality fostered at Madrid where he won five Champions League titles and the Spanish league three times iquest is something United had been missing in the postAlex Ferguson era It has that now and its mostly because of the arrival of Casemiro and another former Madrid player Raphael VaraneThe pressure is something we are used to playing with And we need the pressure its not that kind of pressure that limits you Sometimes quality is not enough you need the motivation character passion on the pitch because in the top level in the Premier League there are good players in any team But to play in this kind of clubs you need something else something different that character to fight to assume the responsibility to never hide on the pitch to be ready to face every challenge you can Varane saidThats the mentality City has built under Pep Guardiola who after seven years in charge has a team on the brink of winning the Premier LeagueFA CupChampions League treble Its a feat only achieved once in English soccer before by Man United in 1999Casemiro is one of the few players in the current United team who could slot into Citys lineup and not look out of placeOften a player for the big occasion at Madrid Casemiro stepped up for United by scoring the opening goal in its 20 win over Newcastle in the English League Cup final at Wembley Stadium in FebruaryAnd he has been key in the final stretch of the season in helping United qualify for the Champions League with a thirdplace finish in the league notably with an acrobatic volley to score a crucial winner at BournemouthIts Casemiros defensive duties that will be most important against City on Saturday because hell need to keep a leash on attacking center midfielders Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne while also playing a part in stopping the supply line to HaalandCasemiros teammates are sure that wont be beyond himHe can control a game great for us United defender Victor Lindelof said with or without the ballWith AP inputs