Casemiro shows leadership at Manchester United by signing Antony after week of criticism as £85m man-notches help dump Reading out of FA Cup
Casemiro once again showed his leadership qualities, pointing to Antony, his much-criticized Manchester United team-mate, who assisted his first FA Cup goal.
Antony delivered a brilliant pass to his compatriot in the Reading box, Casemiro scooping the ball over Joe Lumley in a 3-1 win.
“What a player, what a finish and what a move from Manchester United,” commented talkSPORT’s Micky Gray.
He then added a range second, with the £60million signing from Real Madrid looking like a bargain again.
It’s not just the 30-year-old’s goals that stand out, with his leadership qualities clearly part of his incredible five Champions League wins.
And that elite mentality showed again for his first goal against Reading, with Casemiro ensuring the celebrations weren’t for him.
Grabbing his Brazilian teammate Antony after finding the net, he pointed to the man who assisted his goal after a difficult week for the winger.
An £85m summer signing from Ajax, Antony struggled after a quick start.
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His performance in a damaging 3-2 Premier League loss to Arsenal only made matters worse, with criticism directed at him afterwards.
United legend Rio Ferdinand said afterwards: “What worries me about someone like Antony is that he can’t beat anyone – and for a Brazilian that’s surprising!
“He’s not beating anyone and I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Has that always been the case? “”
Darren Bent from talkSPORT commented: “All the stuff and the movies, no minute stuff.
“He does all that, but he doesn’t pass anyone. It’s not like he was doing a trick to manipulate the ball to pass someone, he was just doing it for fun.
His manager, Erik ten Hag was forced to defend his former Ajax star, saying: “When he plays, the team wins. This already gives a message about the quality of its performance.
And United won again, this time with Antony making the difference and perhaps putting some doubts to rest.
Speaking after the game, the Dutchman continued his defence, saying: “We are happy with his improvement at the moment. There is a big potential in him and he has to develop it every day.
“I think he’s growing. We want it to be more dynamic, variable and direct. Today was a nice pass for the first goal.
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