Casemiro: It’s impossible to do it on your own

Our no.18 has contributed significantly at both ends of the pitch, operating as a defensive enforcer and also as an instigator - and occasional finisher - of the Reds' attacks.

In his interview for tonight's edition of United Review, the official match programme for our Emirates FA Cup clash with West Ham, the Brazilian insists that while he is garnering a lot of attention for his performances, he and his team-mates complement one another.

“Every team has its own way of playing. It's true here I have a greater role in attack,” he began.

“The style of play here is different, the build-up play, the manager, the league, the club are all different. Every club has their own way of playing, the most important thing is adapting quickly, that's what I try to do.

“I'll say it again, it's impossible to do it on your own. There's the quality of my team-mates. There's Licha [Lisandro Martinez] and [Raphael] Varane - high quality players. Christian [Eriksen] who I played alongside for a long time, another exceptional player. Fredinho [Fred], another excellent player, then there's Bruno [Fernandes] who plays a bit further forward, a world-class player.”

Casemiro arrived at United in the summer with a monumental reputation as one of the best defensive midfielder in world football.

Since playing for Erik ten Hag’s Reds, the 31-year-old has contributed further forward too, scoring vital goals against Chelsea in the Premier League, Reading in the previous round of the FA Cup, and Newcastle in Sunday's Carabao Cup final win.

The Brazil international believes that his role is more “creative” for the Reds than the one he had at Real Madrid, but maintains that his priority is supporting his team-mates and giving United “balance.”

“Every player has their role, maybe here [at United] I have got more of a creative role, but as I always like to say, my job is different.

“Everyone knows my role and I'm sure it's why Manchester United signed me - to give the team balance, support my team-mates in defence, help the midfield, the full-backs and the centre-backs, close the gaps.

“That's what's most important in my role. Of course, goals and assists are important and make everyone happy, but the role of the defensive central midfielder today is the one I've just described.”

BUY UNITED REVIEW

If you enjoyed this extract, read the entire interview and plenty of other exclusive content in tonight's edition of United Review.

You can order a copy online, or pick it up at Old Trafford this evening.

You can also purchase our exclusive magazine Inside United at the stadium on matchdays too, and at a special discounted price if you buy it alongside the programme – ask for the ‘double deal’.

BARCELONA PROGRAMME

The issue of United Review for last week's win over Barcelona was very popular, so if you missed out at the ground, you can order a copy online here.