Serial winner Casemiro leads Brazilian beat at heart of Man United revival under Ten Hag

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has won five Champions League titles and been champion of the world three times with Real Madrid, too. There are more trophies – many more – for this proven winner from Sao Paulo state.

He’s won the last nine finals he’s been involved in, including a 2017 European Super Cup triumph against Manchester United, when he scored. He was also man of the match in the last European Super Cup in August 2022. He is a serial winner.

The English League Cup is not as important as any of those trophies, but he celebrated his first English and United trophy on Sunday so much that a Brazilian journalist asked for an explanation.

“I celebrate like this because I'm enjoying it here,” he smiled. “I left a great club, came to England and people wondered why … and moments like these are the answer. It’s one more trophy for me and we all know this is only the beginning, but it doesn’t mean we can’t be happy. I welcome it regardless of the competition.”

Casemiro, who turned 31 last week, has quickly become Manchester United’s most important player, not least because he is utterly driven to win again and again and again.

“Who already knows me understands I go after the ball as if it’s a plate of food,” he said. “This is my character, that didn't happen because it was a final or whatever. I attack every ball as if it was the last one.”

He believes United are firmly heading in the right direction.

Left to right: Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, manager Erik ten Hag, and winger Antony celebrate after winning the League Cup final against Newcastle. EPA

“We’re growing and gaining respect in this country, but it’s early days and we have to keep improving,” Casemiro said in the Wembley mixed zone