A few minutes later, he responded to a question on Casemiro by dwelling on last season. "I think we needed the six when I arrived here and last season Casemiro was fantastic," Ten Hag enthused.
"I don't think he ever scored so many goals as well but as a six, a holding midfielder, a strategist, he was so important for the team." Casemiro was the difference in United qualifying for the Champions League. He nodded home in the League Cup final and got the ball rolling with another headed opener on the night United secured a top four finish against Chelsea.
Marcus Rashford inevitably added the Sir Matt Busby statue to his trophy room but Casemiro would have been as worthy a recipient. He and Ten Hag sat side-byside in San Sebastian for a prematch press conference and were kindred spirits.
"After being in football for quite a while, despite the fact I am only 30, the obsession for winning, his (Ten Hag's) obsession for winning is what surprised me the most," Casemiro confessed.
Player and manager have suffered an acute case of second season syndrome. Casemiro is on his last legs and the FA Cup final could be his last dance in elite football.
"This season, he struggled with a bad injury he never had in his career," Ten Hag added yesterday. "But I know he is such a winner see his career.
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