Ten Hag urged to play Casemiro and Fred together and emulate Brazil success
Gilberto Silva hopes Manchester United duo Casemiro and Fred can form a successful partnership at the heart of Erik ten Hag’s midfield – just like they have done for Brazil.
United signed Casemiro, 30, from Real Madrid in the summer to bolster Ten Hag’s midfield options. The 65-cap international made his first Premier League start in the 2-1 win against Everton at on Sunday evening – setting up Cristiano Ronaldo’s winner at Goodison Park.
Fred, meanwhile, has been criticised by pundits since he joined United from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2018. The 29-year-old has not started a Premier League game for the Red Devils since their humbling 4-0 away defeat against Brentford two months ago.
Casemiro and Fred may have to wait for their chance to start together in the Premier League, as Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen have impressed for United this season. Yet Silva is hoping they won’t have to wait too long amid their international success.
The dynamic duo have played at the heart of Brazil’s midfield in recent years, helping them reach the Copa America final last summer. Casemiro and Fred are also expected to play a key role in Brazil’s bid to win this year’s World Cup in Qatar, which starts next month.
Silva, who is fondly remembered for helping Arsenal finish the 2003/04 Premier League season unbeaten, also believes Casemiro will be successful at Old Trafford. The experienced midfielder won three La Liga titles and five European Cups at Real.
“He [Casemiro] can contribute a lot,” Silva told Mirror Football at the premiere of ‘Brazil 2002: The Real Story’. “He’s got quality. What he’s achieved in the last few years of his career, it’s amazing. Coming here, of course it’s a new challenge.
“But he knows the route that brought him to success. I really want to see him as he has done in the national team with Fred. I hope the combination will be great. If both of them play like they do in the national team with Manchester United, [they’ll do well].”
Fellow Brazilian icon Roberto Carlos, who played for Real between 1996 and 2007, added: “I have learnt from [Real president] Florentino Perez to no longer talk about players that no longer play from my team! (laughs) I wish him a lot of good luck for his new journey.”
Casemiro and Fred could start United’s Europa League game against Omonoia at Old Trafford on Thursday. Ten Hag’s side defeated their guests 3-2 when they met in Cyprus last week and know they can take a big step towards the next round with another win.
United are among the favourites to win the Europa League this season, as they look to end a six-year wait for a trophy. Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Roma, Real Sociedad, Feyenoord, Lazio, Monaco, Freiburg are the other teams being tipped to challenge for the honour.
