Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag described midfielder Casemiro as "magnificent" after the Brazilian scored twice in the 3-1 win over Reading in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.
Signed from Real Madrid last summer primarily to provide more steel and structure in the United midfield, Casemiro has demonstrated he is more than a destroyer, his double against Reading taking his goal contributions this season to nine, with four goals and five assists in all competitions.
"We know he's a great player and that midfield at Real Madrid, with [Toni] Kroos and [Luka] Modric, it was great," Ten Hag said. "He's capable of [scoring goals]. We see him as a part of it offensively and he enjoys it as well, when he can come [into] it.
"Casemiro is magnificent. In front of the back line, always taking good positions, in and out of position. And he can deal with the ball, he can give the right pass. So, he can accelerate the game and if necessary, he can score."
Fellow Brazilian midfielder Fred came off the bench to score United's third, before substitute Amadou Mbengue headed in a consolation for the Championship side.
The victory continues United's good form, the only defeat in their past 11 games coming in the 3-2 Premier League thriller at Arsenal. Since then, though, Ten Hag's side bounced back to beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the League Cup semi-finals, and the Dutchman was again pleased with his team's display.
"The first 60 minutes was a really good performance," he said. "I think we totally dominated the game, we were composed in possession, with good moments where we accelerated. In the first half we had some good opportunities, some chances and also a goal that is a goal - I don't know why it was disallowed.
"Good runs behind them created a lot of opportunities, but also our transition from defence was really good. And there was only one moment before half-time where there was a lack of concentration. But before that, I think we created four, five, six really good chances where the only thing we missed was the finish. Then after half-time, very quickly it was 2-0."
Man United v Reading player ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: David De Gea – 6. United had 79 per cent of possession in the first half so he had nothing at all to do … until an important save on 45. Will be unhappy at the marking which led to Reading’s goal. Getty -
Aaron Wan Bissaka – 7. Set up Antony on the right, fine move to set up Weghorst on 45. He’s doing alright – and United, with 11 straight home wins, are doing well. Getty -
Victor Lindelof – 7. Solid at the back. Convincing, too. Better passing accuracy than any starter on the pitch. He’ll have bigger tests. AFP -
Harry Maguire – 7. Eighteen days since his last start. Admitted he’s never been in this position before, but he did nothing wrong and everything right. Pushed up as United dominated in the first half, but, as he said, United needed to take their chances. Getty -
Tyrell Malacia – 6. Pushed up in the first half but paused in the 45th minute and let Reading in with a chance to take the lead. Booked. AP -
Casemiro – 9. Scooped United into the lead as Reading looked like they were holding on a little too much for comfort. His movement for that was sublime. Then scored a second three minutes later. A step ahead of those trying to mark him. Burst forward and won the ball to set up Antony on 21. Crossed for Weghorst on 45. Getty -
Christian Eriksen – 6. Flashed a sixth minute free kick wide, then followed up on Rashford’s early free-kick as United pressed. A shot, which looked to be going in, blocked on 26. Getty -
Antony – 8. Played well and Casemiro pointed to him having set up the opening goal. Looked the most likely to score in the first half. Curled a shot wide on 15 and then over on 21. Good play as he slipped Fernandes in on goal after 31, then he curled another wide himself. Missed his best chance on 86. Not his night. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes – 6. Flicked a shot over on 27. Shot wide four minutes later after Antony set him up. Needed to convert some of the chances. Assisted Fred for the third. AP -
Marcus Rashford – 7. Swerved a 14th minute free-kick on target. Celebrated yet another goal on 37. VAR stopped the celebration. Shot miles over on 47. Shame he didn’t score again. Getty -
Wout Weghorst – 6. Thought he’d assisted Rashford for the first. VAR thought otherwise. Worked hard but Reading defended deep. Getty -
SUBS: Fred (Eriksen 56’) – 7. Set up Casemiro almost immediately. Then he scored himself, a flick in front of the Stretford End who were soon singing his name. Getty -
Alejandro Garnacho (Rashford 68’) – 7. Quick to show his tricky feet. Disappointed with his shot on target after 78. Set up Antony with a fine chance on 86. Getty -
Facundo Pellistri (Fernandes 68’) – 6. More deserved minutes for the lively Uruguayan. Getty -
Anthony Elanga (Weghorst 73’) – N/A. Getty -
Kobbie Mainoo (Casemiro 73’) – N/A. Reuters -
READING PLAYER RATINGS: Joe Lumley – 4. The Reading goalkeeper was saved by VAR after another clanger when he opted to scoop up Rashford’s strike from behind the line. Beaten all ends up by Casemiro’s blistering brace and Fred’s neat finish. AFP -
Andy Yiadom – 6. Showed superb quality to wriggle out of the corner when he skipped past a red shirt before he was fouled by Weghorst which relieved the pressure. Rinsed by Rashford who turned on the afterburners (no match photo available). PA -
Tom Holmes – 6. Held firm in a sturdy first-half performance as the hosts peppered the Reading penalty area, but his resistance was smashed to smithereens after the break, despite his best efforts. PA -
Tom McIntyre – 7. Threw himself in front of everything that came his way, including a vital block to turn Weghorst's point-blank strike over the bar that kept the visitors on terms, before Eriksen became the next man to see his effort thwarted by the defender. Getty -
Junior Hoilett – 6. Made a nuisance of himself as he pinched possession from Malacia in the box and managed to squeeze his shot away, but his effort was too close to De Gea who saved well. Substituted after the break following some heavy-handed treatment. Reuters -
Mamadou Loum – 4. Not a performance to remember. Failed to have any impact as United’s midfield ran riot and he was withdrawn with just under half an hour to play. Getty -
Jeff Hendrick – 5. The Irishman squandered his best opportunity as Reading failed to capitalise on a rare sight of goal, and he couldn’t make his experience count for the most part as United were dominant from the first whistle. AFP -
Baba Rahman – 4. Completely ineffective. Not sure if he touched the ball in the first half as the hosts terrorised their Championship opponents. AFP -
Tom Ince – 6. Picked off an early Casemiro pass and strode forward as Reading started brightly, but beyond that he was unable to have any real influence on the clash, although he twice breezed past the inexperienced Mainoo. AFP -
Andy Carroll – 3. Hustled, bustled and outmuscled in the opening exchanges as he looked to impose himself, only to be dismissed for a series of cynical challenges. His decision to wear the No 2 shirt as a centre forward warranted a red card anyway. AFP -
Lucas Joao – 5. Offered little as the Royals struggled to get anywhere near the United goal and he was substituted with just over 15 minutes to play. Lethargic at best from the striker, although he was starved of any real service. PA -
Dean Bouzanis (Lumley 75') – N/A. Not something you see every day. The substitute ‘keeper helped Sutton United to the Papa John’s Trophy final last term and was thrown on for a 15-minute cameo here. He was unbeaten too! Reuters -
Amadou Mbengue (Hoilett 69’) – 7. Had an instant impact as he powered home a consolation with a strong header to give Reading a glimmer of hope. AFP -
Tyrese Fornah (Loum 62’) – 6. Given an earful by his manager after failing to pull the trigger with Maguire grounded. That would have set up a nervy finale with the scores at 3-1. Reuters -
Michael Craig (Hendrick 75’) – 6. Provided some fresh legs in the middle as Reading summoned some fight late on (no match photo available). PA -
Shane Long (Joao 75’) – 6. A few nice touches from the experienced forward who is still going strong at 36. PA
United forward Marcus Rashford had the opportunity to break a club record for goals in consecutive games. The England forward was level with club legend Dennis Viollet in scoring in 10 straight games and thought he had made history against Reading but his goal was ruled out by VAR.
"Yes, it is a pity, and definitely for him," Ten Hag said. "With the disallowed goal, that is a disappointment, let’s say it is a frustration. He deserved that goal. We had to take him off because so many games come and we need them and want to keep them fresh. In the long term we need him."
United are back in action on Wednesday for the second leg of the League Cup semi-finals against Forest, and return to Premier League duty at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
