Football: ‘Phenomenal’ Casemiro scores twice as Man United beat Reading in FA Cup
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Manchester United midfielder Casemiro (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal.
PHOTO: AFP
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MANCHESTER – Manchester United’s Brazil midfielder Casemiro was feted as “phenomenal”, after he scored twice as they beat second-tier Reading 3-1 to reach the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday but Marcus Rashford was denied a record.
Visitors Reading were riding their luck and holding on until Casemiro opened the scoring in the 54th minute, cleverly dinking the ball over goalkeeper Joe Lumley from Antony’s pass.
The former Real Madrid player extended United’s lead four minutes later with a fizzing shot from 25 metres.
“He’s done what he was brought in to do. He’s a phenomenal player,” said United captain Harry Maguire.
“You don’t win what he’s won without being a top player.
“He’s improved the team, the morale, the performance and it is great to have him.”
His manager Erik ten Hag added: “He (Casemiro) is really important with all his experience, but he is such a smart player and intelligent.
“He knows the positions, how to deal with the ball and also he is creative as well, and we are really happy with him.
“He is important for the improvement of the team.”
There was some criticism when five-time Champions League winner Casemiro joined United for £60 million (S$97.6 million) in August, with several pundits describing the move for a 30-year-old on a four-year-contract as a panic buy.
Ten Hag, however, described him then as “the cement between the stones” in midfield.
And he has proved instrumental for United this season and was given a standing ovation after being substituted.
Roy Keane knows exactly what it takes to play in that position for United, having been a world-class midfield general for Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering Red Devils side.
Keane said on ITV: “He’s been a huge signing. Over the last few years for Man United, particularly in the middle of the park, they’ve lacked a quality player with a big personality, a guy with a bit of presence.
“He’s a top-quality player. We see it week in, week out. He affects games.
“Before he came there was this perception he’s a sitting midfielder because of working with different players at Real Madrid, players who are more attack-minded.
“But we’re now seeing over the last few months he’s got so much quality going forward in terms of the final pass and he’s getting goals, as well as being very, very good defensively.”
Fred made it 3-0 with a backheel before Reading had former Liverpool and England striker Andy Carroll sent off for a second yellow card for a sliding tackle on Casemiro.
Reading, managed by former title-winning United midfielder Paul Ince, scored a consolation through Amadou Salif Mbengue.
Rashford thought he had become the first United player to score in 10 successive matches at Old Trafford when he netted in the first half. But his effort was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee.
Reading had almost taken the lead against the run of play just before the interval when Junior Hoilett had a great chance, but his close-range shot was well saved by David de Gea. REUTERS
