20 October 2023 , 12:26
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Raphael Varane has lauded Casemiro in the wake of the Manchester United midfielder's poor start to the season.
The Brazil international, 31, made a big impression after signing from Real Madrid last summer but has struggled to emulate that so far this term. That has led to criticism from fans and pundits alike in recent weeks, with United making their worst start to a campaign in 37 years.
But Varane, who played alongside Casemiro at the Bernabeu prior to his own switch to United, has praised him for bringing balance to the team and insists everybody is grateful to have a player of his calibre in the ranks.
Speaking to Manutd.com, he said of Casemiro: “He brings a lot of balance on the team, I think he can cut out a lot of counter-attacks we could concede. It’s just amazing and with him, I have a great connection on the pitch, even without talking, we know exactly where we’re going to move for each other. It’s very helpful for the team to have a player like him.”
Varane's comments come hot on the heels of a theory from former Manchester United defender Paul Parker, who believes that Casemiro's teammates are to blame for the midfielder's current struggles.
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“He wants to attack, defend, go into the duels, run with the ball, get into the box and get all the way back to make a tackle in his own box and I get why he is doing it but it's wrong,” Parker told Bettors earlier this week.
Join the debate! What have you made of Casemiro's performances so far this season? Let us know here.
Raphael Varane has praised Casemiro in the wake of criticism levelled at the Manchester United midfielder (Getty Images)“It's like the kid in school who is so much better than the rest so he wants to do everything himself but in the end it makes him look bad, even though he does it from a good heart. He does it because the younger players around him are just walking around. Rasmus Hojlund is the only one who is working hard and a lot of the players are being disrespectful to Casemiro by the way they just walk around on the pitch.
“Casemiro is trying his best but it's not working at the moment. Casemiro is a super player, so I have no doubt that he will improve once he gets this stability around him. He needs some help from the players around him.”
Casemiro will sit out Manchester United's trip to Sheffield United on Saturday night after picking up an injury during the international break with Brazil.