Casemiro’s gritty leadership has Manchester United set fair for Anfield

M anchester United’s win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in August kickstarted the Erik ten Hag era. After defeats by Brighton and Brentford there was early concern that revitalising the red behemoth was an even bigger task than the Dutchman had anticipated but six months on he is shaping up to be the right man for the job.

The United that steps out at Anfield on Sunday will be unrecognisable from the one that meekly failed to take any points from their opening two Premier League games. Ten Hag has brought back discipline to United, a trait that had eroded away. His first trip to Liverpool will be the biggest test of his side’s mentality. United have not won at Anfield since January 2016 and ending that run would be a huge statement of progress under Ten Hag.

“There was [a lack of discipline] and I don’t have to lie about it,” Ten Hag says. “Top players like structure, not only on the pitch, so you need some rules. I think it’s obvious in every organisation that when there are no rules and no discipline in taking those rules seriously, then you create a mess. That’s not only at a football club. It was quite obvious because I could see on the pitch what was going on.”

One of the key reasons behind United’s toughened mentality is Casemiro. The midfielder is a leader and sets the example for all those around him, a player Ten Hag trusts to do his job precisely and ensure others do likewise. After winning the Carabao Cup last weekend, Casemiro asked Bruno Fernandes why he had failed to play the right pass in the final third with United already 2-0 up late on. When standards are set, they have to be met for 90 minutes.

“When you go to recruitment in the summer, we were looking for players with character, with personality,”