Gary Neville praises impact of Man Utd star player who makes the team ‘30 percent better’

Gary Neville has praised the impact of Manchester United’s summer signing Casemiro, after a superb maiden campaign in the Premier League.

The Brazilian joined from Real Madrid and was unveiled on the Old Trafford pitch just before the 2-1 win over Liverpool in August. Casemiro has played a pivotal role in the team’s turnaround after losing the opening two matches of the campaign, although a number of suspensions have blighted his form in the second half of the campaign.

Erik ten Hag claimed earlier this season that the 31-year-old, who has played 48 times this season for United and scored six goals, is the ‘cement between the stones’. Neville evidently agrees with that assessment and named Casemiro as his Premier League signing of the season because of how much better the Red Devils perform when he’s playing.

“I couldn’t pick [Erling] Haaland, who is my signing of the season. He’s had the biggest impact on his team,” the ex-United defender said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

“I couldn’t think of a player that has had as big an impact on their team singularly [than Casemiro]. I look at Manchester United’s season - I think they’re going to finish in the top four this week, have won the Carabao Cup and they’re in the FA Cup final; I genuinely don’t think they’d be anywhere near the top four or doing what they’re doing if it wasn’t for Casemiro. The impact he’s had on that team, I think he makes them 20-30 percent better.”

“This is a signing for now and I had doubts about him in terms of the five-year deal and the expense of it,” Neville added. “I have those doubts, I should mention that. But in terms of when he is and isn’t playing, the jump in Manchester United’s quality and performance is enormous.

“I don’t think there’s a signing that has had a bigger impact on a team as he has. Manchester United, none of us had them in the top four after that first week. Who’d have thought they’d be in two cup finals and the top four? That’s an unbelievable season and he’s a big part of that. He’s brought experience into the dressing room and I think he’s done a good job.”