Ruud van Nistelrooy has launched a staunch defence of Casemiro after the Manchester United star scored twice in their 5-2 Carabao Cup win over Leicester on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils went into the game looking to prove a point following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag earlier in the week.
And United performed well at Old Trafford as they got their spell under Van Nistelrooy, who has been appointed as interim manager in the wake of Ten Hag’s departure, off to a winning start.
Casemiro netted two goals, with Bruno Fernandes also scoring a brace, while Alejandro Garnacho added gloss to a sublime performance.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has launched a staunch defence of Casemiro after the Manchester United star scored twice in their 5-2 Carabao Cup win over Leicester on Wednesday night
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Van Nistelrooy, speaking after the game, hailed Casemiro.
And he hit out at critics of the Brazil international earlier in the season, insisting some of what was said about the veteran was simply ‘not true’.
“The first goal was an unbelievable, top goal – fantastic finish,” he said. “I’m delighted for him that the first goal went in.
“I was delighted for Case, the way he’s been training and helping the team and the club, he’s such an example.
“You also see the crowd’s reaction and they also know what he’s about.”
He continued: “Of course, going through difficult moments, the Liverpool game, he got a lot of criticism.
“It was so hard, he was almost the one to blame for that game and it’s not fair, he didn’t deserve that, it was not true.
“If you see him in training and the way he prepares for games, with the history and all he has achieved with five Champions Leagues, he’s an example for us.
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“That was part of my celebration, I’m happy for him.”
It was an emotional night for Van Nistelrooy.
Having been assistant to Ten Hag, he admitted before the fixture to ‘mixed emotions’.
And the Red Devils icon repeated that claim after the match, while also saying his predecessor can leave the club ‘with his head held high’.
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Ruud van Nistelrooy was delighted after Casemiro after his heroics for Man Utd against Leicester
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“In the days leading up to this, it was with mixed feelings. Of course, I was sad to see Erik [ten Hag] go. He was the one that got me here,” he admitted.
“It was sad to see him leave but he’s leaving the club with two trophies and can have his head held high.
“Of course, matchday comes and 75,000 fans are here and they support the team. They supported me in an unbelievable way.”
Van Nistelrooy is also adamant that United will return to the levels of old – and will be relentless in their pursuit of the glory days.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was delighted with Man Utd’s Carabao Cup win over Leicester
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“As coaching staff, we prepared the players and I have to say they were fantastic today,” he said.
“Credit to the team, they pulled off a great performance today, after difficult moments. On the day it got announced, it was difficult for them and every one of us. “Of course, when you have the manager is going, for us, as staff as well, so to react and play like this, it was a great achievement of the players.
“We promised to fight for the 75,000 fans and the millions at home watching and supporting United. For them, we wanted to show up, show this club is building and continuing to fight and never stop. That’s what it is about.”