Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes there is even more to come from Casemiro after the Brazilian midfielder scored a superb equaliser to earn his side a Premier League draw at Chelsea on Saturday.
Trailing to an 87th-minute Jorginho penalty that looked to have secured the hosts all three points at Stamford Bridge, United pulled level deep in stoppage time when Casemiro rose to loop a header over Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who managed to tip the ball on to the bar only for it to sneak over the line.
It was a point United, and in particular Casemiro, deserved after the Brazil international had controlled the midfield for much of the game.
A new arrival from Real Madrid in the summer, Casemiro is quickly establishing himself as a leader and key player for Ten Hag, and the Dutchman expects the midfielder to continue to improve as he adjusts to the team and the demands of English football.
“He is growing from game to game and now, he made the equaliser," Ten Hag said. "And that gives the team and him more confidence. We need headers, and it was a great finish. But he is coming in the team and you see how important he is.
"I think he was massive today in his performance. He is now matching the Premier League intensity and from game to game he will be better. I am confident of that.”
A well-earned point continues United's upturn in form and comes soon after their comfortable 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, having started the season with successive defeats. United are now unbeaten in six matches in all competitions following the 6-3 derby humiliation at Manchester City, and sit one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League table.
Chelsea v Man United player ratings
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CHELSEA PLAYER RATINGS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7. By far the busier of the two goalkeepers. Did well to thwart Rashford in a one-on-one, then plunged to his right to fend away the striker’s fierce shot. Enjoyed a quieter second half but was finally beaten – just – by Casemiro’s fabulous late header. Getty -
Trevoh Chalobah – 8. Struggled early on with Sancho’s movement but grew into the game. Emerged for the second half in more proactive mood and made Rashford aware of his presence. Made a superb interception to stop Rashford going clean through, then headed against the United bar. AFP -
Thiago Silva – 7. Typically dominant in the air, repelling anything United lobbed forward. Not as comfortable on the ground, however, and was fortunate to see compatriot Antony blaze off-target late in the first period. For the most part, read the game as well as ever. AFP -
Marc Cucurella – 5. Sacrificed early on by Graham Potter, who could see that his side was being overrun by United’s midfield play. Prior to his departure, the Spaniard had been tidy enough but was just a victim of systemic failings. Reuters -
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7. Took an early knock from Sancho but remained unaffected. Shackled Sancho well but had a different kind of challenge after United’s reshuffle when Fernandes moved to his side, followed late on by Elanga. Also had to deal with Luke Shaw’s energetic surges. AFP -
Ruben-Loftus Cheek – 5. Anonymous in the first half but tried one long-range effort early in the second period which was deflected over, then made a superb run into space shortly before the hour, only for Sterling to bungle the pull-back. Hooked late on. AFP -
Jorginho – 7. Outfought and out-thought as United bossed the midfield battle in the first period. Looked far more comfortable and influential after Kovacic’s introduction and moved Chelsea ahead with a calmly taken penalty in the last five minutes. Cynical late foul on Elanga brought a booking. Getty -
Ben Chilwell – 6. Had to constantly be on his toes as United looked to release the quicksilver Antony. Great cross for Aubameyang in the late stages of the first half which deserved a better finish. Always a menace from set-pieces and a willing runner on the overlap. Getty -
Mason Mount – 5. Struggled on the periphery of the game throughout. Constantly tried to play his way into it through endless running but cut a frustrated figure and became embroiled in niggly exchanges with various opponents. AFP -
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 4. Began to get proper service after Chelsea’s tactical reshuffle, but fluffed two openings by making bad decisions and found himself marked out of the game until his late replacement by Pulisic. PA -
Raheem Sterling – 5. A very quiet first half, but showed his dormant threat when he found space in the box just before half-time. Might have shot but instead passed and Aubameyang was unable to convert. Still to net a career goal against United with any of his clubs. Getty -
SUBS: Mateo Kovacic (Marc Cucarella 36’) – 6. Introduced to gain Chelsea a foothold in midfield and did just that. His energy and diligence slowed United’s play and lifted the home support. AFP -
Christian Pulisic (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 74’) – 6. Offered a different kind of threat in the late stages. Looked lively and confident. AFP -
Armando Broja (Raheem Sterling 79’) – 6. Limited time but had one direct run at Martinez which ended with the Argentinian defender on top, then won a late penalty after tangling with McTominay. AFP -
Carney Chukwuemeka (Loftus-Cheek, 79) – 6. Made an important contribution by hindering Casemiro on a forward surge, then lent his own support by leading the attack which ultimately spawned Chelsea’s winner. AP -
MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: David De Gea – 6. Little to do in the first half when United had possession but not enough progression. And little to do for much of the second until a Chelsea penalty sent him the wrong way. Doesn’t save penalties. EPA -
Diogo Dalot – 7. Fast and aggressive down the right. Put Aubameyang off in Chelsea’s only genuine first half attack. Strong against Mount. Passing could be at fault in second half. Reuters -
Lisandro Martinez – 7. Assured and up for it. A diving header turned one first half defence into an attack. Booked after the celebrations in a thrilling finish. Reuters -
Raphael Varane – 7. Stretched to snuff out a Chelsea attack on 13. Over stretched as he attempted to get near Aubameyang after 56 and went off as a result. Looked devastated as he went off after a period of being on the ground. Played well. Again. AP -
Luke Shaw – 7. Lively start. Shot wide after eight, set up Antony’s shot on 11. Got into space on the left to support his teammates and provided the cross for the winner. Playing well. One of three United players booked in the last 10 minutes. AFP -
Casemiro – 8. So involved and influential that Chelsea switched their tactics to try and stop him. Less influential in a more negative second period where Chelsea improved marginally. The first United player for years who can control and manage a game. Scored a superb equaliser in time added on. Man of the match. AFP -
Christian Eriksen – 7. Composed. Integral to United’s first half dominance as the Reds took the game to Chelsea. Lost the ball more at the start of the second half. Subbed, but another solid performance. Getty -
Antony – 6. Good left foot shot was saved after 12. Booked for going in late on Jorginho. Sliced a shot with his weaker right foot after 45 minutes. United, overall, were poor in front of goal. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes – 6. Set up Antony with a big chance on 45. Gave the ball away a couple of times at the start of the second half. Moaned so much that that his manager told him to wind it in. Moved to the left and was less effective. Getty -
Jadon Sancho – 5. Dangerous ball into the box on 13. Shot on target on 33. Lost the ball which led to a late first half Chelsea attack. Cursed himself before coming off after he gave the ball away. Isn’t doing enough. AFP -
Marcus Rashford – 7. Got in behind Chelsea’s defence in the first half with two decent chances, the second right-footed shot on target on 33. Needs more goals. AFP -
Fred (Sancho 52’) – 5. Spun a shot/cross wide after 61 when Shaw opened up space to his left. A star on Wednesday against Spurs, he wasn’t against Chelsea. Didn’t have the same level of concentration and caused errors which led to Chelsea winning possession and attacking. Booked for moaning after penalty was conceded. Reuters -
Victor Lindelof (Varane 59’) – 6. Blocked a ball from Sterling immediately after coming on. PA -
Scott McTominay (Eriksen 80’) – 5. On for a more defensive midfield, though one of the first things he did was win the ball high upfield. Gave a penalty away with a grab on Broja that could have been so costly. Reuters -
Anthony Elanga (Rashford 80’) – 6. Brought down in a yellow card challenge after he’d lost Jorginho. Lively. PA
“It is quite clear we want to win every game and we want, in this moment, to develop the team," Ten Hag said. "That is what you need and getting in the right position, and we will see where we are when it is March or April. But that is a long road to go. So, for now, I am not looking at the table, I am looking at the process and the progress.”
There was some cause for concern at Stamford Bridge, though, after defender Raphael Varane left the pitch in tears following what appeared to be a leg injury.
“I don’t know, it is so short after we finished the game," Ten Hag said on the severity of Varane's injury. "We have to wait, no one can say anything about it, and we have to wait a minimum of 24 hours and maybe even longer and get the right diagnosis.”
