Manchester United have Ruud van Nistelrooy to thank for unexpected Casemiro heroics

Casemiro's reaction to Harry Maguire's winner was missed in the midst of the bedlam.

Maguire threw himself into the crowd as his teammates flocked to him. There were arms and limbs flying on the terraces, but Casemiro was lying face down just a few yards away.

He'd given everything and didn't have the energy to celebrate. The Brazilian eventually got back to his feet and roared to a pocket of supporters.

Manchester United's special victory against Lyon will be savoured by everyone connected with the club, and it's miraculous that Casemiro was even involved if you think back to the beginning of September.

Just 229 days ago, Casemiro was hooked at half-time against Liverpool at Old Trafford and replaced by the inexperienced Toby Collyer. It felt like a changing of the guard. It looked like there was no way back for Casemiro.

Ther Brazilian won the penalty in the 114th minute against Lyon, he found Kobbie Mainoo for the equaliser and he assisted again with a wonderful cross into the box for Maguire's winner.

Nobody will care about a player's statistics from Thursday night given the nature of the victory, but Casemiro delivered a midfield clinic, winning more duels and creating more chances than any other United player on the pitch.

It was the talismanic Casemiro of 2022/23. He was instrumental during his first season in Manchester and was arguably the main reason why United finished third in the league and won the Carabao Cup.

Marcus Rashford scored 30 goals that season, but United's success wouldn't have been possible without Casemiro, who stabilised a struggling midfield after Brighton and Brentford defeats.

Casemiro was awful in his second year and was regarded as a liability at the beginning of this season, so it's been