Aheed Abrar
Garth Crooks believes Manchester United midfielder Casemiro could be ‘valuable’ for Cristiano Ronaldo
Former player turned football pundit Garth Crooks believes Manchester United midfielder Casemiro could be “valuable” for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese has struggled for game time and form this season.
Ronaldo has not started a Premier League game for Erik ten Hag since the Red Devils lost 4-0 to Brentford. The 37-year-old has only made substitute appearances since then.
United visited Goodison Park to face Everton on 9 October. The Old Trafford side went behind early through an Alex Iwobi strike. However, Antony managed to equalise for us in the 15th minute.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was once again on the bench against Frank Lampard’s team. However, Ronaldo was called upon a bit early as Anthony Martial had to be withdrawn at around the half-hour mark.
And the 37-year-old gave United the lead in the 44th minute. His ex-Real Madrid teammate provided him with the assist. It was Ronaldo’s 700th club career goal and the Portugal international’s first of the 2022/23 league campaign.
Ronaldo made it to Crooks’ Team of the Week on BBC. And the forward, who spent a season with United on loan during his playing career, suggested Casemiro could help bring the best out of the 37-year-old.
“If Casemiro can come to terms with the pace of the Premier League, especially in the big games, then he might prove to be a valuable asset for United – but more importantly for Ronaldo.”
The new midfielder signing from Spain started his first game in the English top flight against Everton. Casemiro did have a shaky start but found his feet. The 30-year-old’s defensive nous in the middle of the park proved to be vital to give the Red Devils the lead.
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Ronaldo has found himself relegated to the bench in the current campaign. Last season’s top goalscorer for United has found himself scrambling in front of goal.
Hopefully, the game at Goodison marks a turning point for both Casemiro and Ronaldo. The two shared enormous success in their time at Madrid together. Hopefully, they can bring some of that to Manchester as well.
