midfielder scored an impressive seven goals in his first season with the club, but says it is winning the ball back from the opposition that really gets his juices flowing on the football pitch.
The Brazilian was not signed for his abilities in front of goal, but kept chipping in over his opening campaign with the Red Devils, scoring four times in the and seven in total.
It matches the best goal-scoring return of his career and while he would love to keep up those kind of numbers, he knows he is in the team to do another job.
The 31-year-old operates at the base of midfield and is really there to make tackles and help get the ball to the side’s more creative players.
He is more than happy with that role and says it is where he is happiest, although he still gets a kick out of finding the back of the net.
‘I reckon it’s now the third season in my career where I’ve managed to score seven goals,’ Casemiro told . ‘I get the odd goal now and again but, of course, I’m not what you’d call a genuine goal scorer!
‘Everyone likes to get on the scoresheet but a favourite phrase of mine is always that my ball-winning tackles are my goals. That’s what I really like doing and that’s when I’m at my happiest.
‘When I’m winning the ball back, helping out my team-mates, getting my team-mates playing and moving the ball better, closing down space and then ensuring that we bring the ball out from the back with quality.
‘They are really my duties but, sure, everyone likes to score and create assists. We all like to but, in reality, my job and what I do on the pitch is something quite different, everybody knows that!’
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