Sergio Busquets comment shows why Manchester United are missing Casemiro

"If he isn't the best, he's up there."

It's not a stretch to argue that Sergio Busquets is the greatest holding midfielder of the last 15 years. His honours list with Barcelona includes eight Spanish league crowns, seven Copa del Reys and three Champions Leagues. With Spain, El Pulpo won the European Championship and the World Cup across a 14-year international career.

Then there are the countless plaudits he received from his more storied peers. "Without Busquets, Barcelona and Spain could never have achieved what we have achieved," said Xavi, now his manager at Barcelona. When Sergio Ramos was at Real Madrid, he said of his own team: "There are a number of players I like, but the one we perhaps need is Busquets.” The late Johan Cruyff described Busquets as a "gift for any coach".

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The quote at the top of this article isn't about Busquets, though — they are Busquets' own words, and he was talking about Manchester United's Casemiro.

"In this position we do get overlooked because, ultimately, people focus on goals, shots, assists," Busquets said of the recognition, or lack thereof, that defensive midfielders often receive. "We have a less obvious role but one that's much more important, which is being in the middle of the team, controlling everything. I admire him."

Whether Casemiro is the best holder in the world or he is just "up there"is a moot point as far as United are concerned. He has had the kind of transformative effect on this team that only Bruno Fernandes can claim to have had of the signings United have made since Sir Alex Ferguson bade farewell a decade ago.

Casemiro is not as silky as Busquets, whose pirouettes and shoulder feints feature regularly in