Casemiro was a sᴜrprise and late arrival at Manchester United during the summer transfer window, but he has been one of their best players this season.

Erik ten Hag believes Casemiro has raised expectations at Manchester United.

Casemiro started Manchester United’s eighth consecutive Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, a run in which they have won five, drawn two, and lost one.

Since October, Casemiro has been colossal for United.

The 30-year-old was named man of the match following Forest’s 3-0 defeat four months after his sᴜrprise £70 million transfer from Real Madrid.

United spent the majority of the summer pursuing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but used the funds set aside for the Dutchman to sign Casemiro, who was allowed to leave Madrid following the arrival of Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco.

“I’m glad they did!” Ten Hag spoke about Real Madrid’s decision to sell Casemiro. “But you see also at the World Cup he is a magnificent player. My analysis prior to the season was that we needed that 6 position, and he is filling it.

“We had a lot of discussions in preseason, but you need the right player, and we definitely have the right player,” he said. I am very happy for Manchester United and this team to have him because he is pushing Manchester United to new heights.”

Ten Hag is willing to sign a younger midfielder next summer, despite continued interest in De Jong and Jude Bellingham.

Casemiro has formed a classy partnership with Christian Eriksen, but both players turn 31 in February, and fellow midfielder Fred turns 30 in March.

Scott McTominay has not started a league game since Manchester City thrashed United 6-3 on October 2.