Casemiro sees Manchester United showing some steel at last

Manchester United with the gist of the jokes suggesting that the former Real Madrid midfielder was effectively ending his career by joining a club in crisis. But after sitting in the stands at Old Trafford to witness Monday's 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool, the Brazil international probably wondered what all the fuss was about.

For 90 minutes United looked like a top football team again -- roared on by a passionate capacity crowd, they outran, outfought and at times outplayed a Liverpool side considered to be genuine title contenders. The protests against the club's owners, the Glazer family, before and during the game, were a reminder that there remain many deep-seated problems at United which a one-off victory, certainly doesn't mask.

But for Dutch manager Erik ten Hag, the win was a massively needed boost after the embarrassing start to the season which had seen a home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion and a crushing 4-0 surrender at Brentford. And for Casemiro, there was evidence that he will have team mates who do, after all, have the capacity to compete and win against the Premier League's elite.

Casemiro, a tank-like destroyer at the base of Real Madrid's midfield in five Champions League winning campaigns, was signed to bring some badly needed aggression, nous and resilience to the centre of the field. But what was most impressive about United's display against a badly below-par Liverpool was the addition of steel provided by Ten Hag's first two signings.

Central defender Lisandro Martinez has already faced doubts and criticism after his performances in the opening two games but right from the outset, when the Argentine left his mark on Mohamed Salah, he was a determined presence. Playing alongside