Roy Keane prediction comes true after Ruud van Nistelrooy’s emotional defence of Man United star

Ruud van Nistelrooy launched an emotional defence of one Manchester United star following the club’s 5-2 win against Leicester City on Wednesday evening.

Manchester United cruised past Leicester City with a commanding 5-2 victory at Old Trafford, advancing to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game as interim manager.

Despite speculation surrounding the potential appointment of Rúben Amorim as head coach, any distractions were brushed aside. Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes both scored twice, with Alejandro Garnacho adding another to seal United’s spot in the next round.

The standout player during the tie was Casemiro, who excelled in the centre of midfield alongside Manuel Ugarte.

He started the game in style, scoring one of the goals of the season for United with his rocket into the top right-hand corner.

The Brazilian continued with a positive display, showcasing the defensive abilities and passing range seen so often during his first season at Old Trafford.

Yet, earlier in the season it almost seemed like the former Real Madrid players’ career at the club was over. His performance during the 3-0 defeat against Liverpool saw him substituted at half-time and blamed for the loss.

But in retrospect, that has been Casemiro’s only poor game so far this season. He has bounced back positively from his disappointing campaign in 2023/24.

Van Nistelrooy’s defence of Casemiro

Van Nistelrooy showed his emotions during his celebrations of Casemiro’s opener, not only due to the excellence of the strike but also because he knows the work that the midfielder is doing behind the scenes.

Speaking to club media, the interim manager launched a defence of Casemiro, who he feels was unfairly blamed for the Liverpool game.

“I was delighted also for Casemiro. The way he has been training, helping the team and club. He is such an example,” began Van Nistelrooy.

“You also see the crowd’s reaction and they also know what he is about. We’re delighted to have him around.

Of course, he has gone through difficult moments. The Liverpool game, he got a lot of criticism. It’s so hard, he was almost the one to blame for that game and it’s not fair, he didn’t deserve that. It was totally not true.

“If you see him in training, preparing for games. With the history of all he has achieved with five Champions League, he is an example for us. And that was part of my celebration also, I’m happy for him.”

Roy Keane predicted Casemiro recovery

Roy Keane was one of few pundits and ex-players to defend Casemiro after his season-low performance against Liverpool.

The former United player disagreed with opinions that the Brazilian was too old and suggested that he could succeed in a role slightly higher up the pitch.

“I wouldn’t be writing players off at that age. We’re saying 31, 32… what happens, I’ve been there, when you get to that age and he had an unbelievably poor game which he did in the first half… everyone’s quick, as if none of us had a bad game when we were twenty two,” said Keane after the Liverpool game.

“Maybe his role in the team if he gets back in, gets a couple of games under his belt, might be higher up the pitch.”

Now, Casemiro has shown his ability to contribute alongside another defensive-minded midfielder in Ugarte and will be hoping to get more games under his belt in the coming weeks.

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Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is released every Wednesday at 6 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.