Neymar had been completely anonymous during Brazil's quarter-final match against Croatia on Friday until he suddenly burst into life in extra time, with the forward winding among weary Croatian legs and rounding the goalkeeper to break the deadlock.
The best players are defined by big moments and Neymar seemed to deliver for his country when they needed him most. The Brazilians danced in the corner of the pitch and Manchester United's Casemiro was beaming. Casemiro was Brazil's best player at the World Cup, which is quite the statement, and he deserved to progress to the semi-final but football is not a fair game.
Croatia remarkably found an equaliser with just minutes remaining of extra time and they proceeded to win the penalty shootout, displaying the same guile and composure that underpinned their victories on penalties at the 2018 World Cup.
The Croatians have become penalty specialists and they put an end to Brazil's dream of lifting the World Cup in Qatar. Casemiro, true to his form at the tournament, scored his penalty but his teammates' were not so convincing from the spot.
Although Casemiro looked crestfallen at full-time, he can take comfort from the standard of his performances. The 30-year-old has been an outstanding addition at Old Trafford and he reproduced the form he's shown for his club playing for Brazil.
Neymar described Casemiro as the 'the best midfielder in the world' last week and the World Cup might be a worse spectacle without his presence, but United supporters certainly wouldn't have minded seeing Brazil crash out on Friday evening.
When Brazil's manager Tite was recently asked whether he agreed with Neymar's view on Casemiro, he said: "As a habit I always respect opinions, and don't comment on them, but I will allow myself to do that today. I agree [with Neymar].
"This is a player who works as a central player and when a game appears, he's the surprise element who appears from the back."
Casemiro is revered in Brazil and Manchester and for good reason - he remains the world's best defensive midfielder. Brazil were favourites to win the World Cup, which was unsurprising considering the talent they possess, but their early exit in Qatar means Casemiro will return to Carrington sooner and that's good news for Erik ten Hag, who is preparing for the domestic restart.
United play Burnley in the League Cup on December 21 and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on December 27. Casemiro will be given a break after Friday's defeat, but he could be involved for the visit of Burnley to Old Trafford in 10 days.
If he's given more time to reset after the disappointment of the World Cup, he will still return to training earlier than he would have if Brazil had reached the final, which will be played just three days before United play in the League Cup.
United fans didn't want to see Casemiro exit the World Cup in such harsh circumstances, but it's undoubtedly a boost that he'll return earlier than was expected and Antony, of course, and Fred will also now return with the midfielder.
Antony has made an excellent start to life in Manchester, contributing five goals and two assists, but Casemiro is arguably more important to Ten Hag's side, as he's the quality defensive midfielder that had been absent for far too long.
United had momentum before the World Cup break and Brazil's exit from the World Cup at the quarter-final stage should make it easier for that to be regained, with the hectic and demanding festive period now just around the corner.
Casimiro will be key in that festive period and supporters will be glad to see him back.
naaacrtyz
0
🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
hilton1985
0
Not funny at all and you’re a liar also Making absurd joking of a man greater than your generation
And your entire generation too. you forgot to add that.
hilton1985
0
bad joke, horrible joke. you exposing your low thinking capacity
And you exposed your low thinking capacity to come comment under my low thinking capacity comment.
hilton1985
0
what you failed to do as father is to educate yourself and your daughter that before you sit of the bench to rest you must have worked really hard and your work must speak for it self kos Ronaldo has worked n lay down a lot of lagacy , finally age has cought up with him that doesn't mean he is a failure ,is people like you pushes people into depression he has achieved a lot ,he is almost 38 in February no player in his age still play in big stage he has tried give him respect not criticizing his achievement that even your entire genarion might not be able to get fine Messi still play very well in 35 wait until he is 37 or 38 then we will see, even Ibrahimovic that wants to play in big league in his 40 now plays on hospital bed age is what you can't cheat no matter your hard training so dear instead of mocking congratulate him is not easy to win 5 bdor is only Messi that has won more than him the rest has only 2 or 3 for d hole generations.
Go cry to your ancestors my man. you failed as a human and as a father, you even failed as a fool to come comment under my comment
gm11
0
No. I don't want him.
Casemero better than Mctominay and Fred put together.
Phreshme
0
No. I don't want him.
I bet you didn't read the article
Emchi
0
No. I don't want him.
hobcmst
0
stupid post
Carringtonlife
6
where is this story got to do with transfer boost now? ah AF
kipeikmnu
1
with what which player
satbeiklz
0
what is the purpose of this post now ...no tally with the headline
sirgentlle007
7
exactly what happens when AF has nothing about Ronaldo to talk about 🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣
sirgentlle007
0
What does 60m boost have to do with this Casimero hype?????
dey don't have anything about Ronaldo to talk about, so what do u expect
Et000
2
Who gave Man United the money to the transfer???
Hupacimstu
1
good
Chairman2017
1
Click bait useless reporting
briareousx
0
Allfootball for you [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Quite a useless piece. And they do useless post one time too often.
adesinaalamu
3
What a rubbish heading, is like this reporter is
retacdilpz
0
Nonsense post everywhere this site needs a brick wall on the face stupid post all time nonsense
MwenePuta
0
What does 60m boost have to do with this Casimero hype?????
Allfootball for you [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Joneytemis
0
60m da Admin Are you kidding me
Unbeatableking
0
All football in the mud
dencmpsuz
1
This is the work of expired drugs
MylesAtemMunroe
0
i don't have words for you Admin
briareousx
1
What does 60m boost have to do with this Casimero hype?????
Bayralla
0
What is this supposed to mean
hinbmnotz
0
It's like the admin of this af is a drunkar. Where is the surprise 60m man u where given for January transfer? Stop spreading nonsense news.
I was looking the samething I don't see the surprise
sazaclpsuy
1
My daughter and I went at the invisible park, we were walking around the park and she got tired and told me "Dad let's Ronaldo". I understood immediately what she meant. So we sat down on the bench.
what you failed to do as father is to educate yourself and your daughter that before you sit of the bench to rest you must have worked really hard and your work must speak for it self kos Ronaldo has worked n lay down a lot of lagacy , finally age has cought up with him that doesn't mean he is a failure ,is people like you pushes people into depression he has achieved a lot ,he is almost 38 in February no player in his age still play in big stage he has tried give him respect not criticizing his achievement that even your entire genarion might not be able to get fine Messi still play very well in 35 wait until he is 37 or 38 then we will see, even Ibrahimovic that wants to play in big league in his 40 now plays on hospital bed age is what you can't cheat no matter your hard training so dear instead of mocking congratulate him is not easy to win 5 bdor is only Messi that has won more than him the rest has only 2 or 3 for d hole generations.
fabadkprty
4
It's like the admin of this af is a drunkar. Where is the surprise 60m man u where given for January transfer? Stop spreading nonsense news.
mezelmopyz
6
Totally disagree with this hype for Cassemiro. As the DM he should have been at his prmary duty post to defend a slender lone goal lead 4mins to the end of extra time. But he was upfront trying to score. Absurd. He and his co-MF anchor Fred let Brazil down, as well as Neymar, a captain without leadership or character. Just a showboy.
vaoeilnop
0
My daughter and I went at the invisible park, we were walking around the park and she got tired and told me "Dad let's Ronaldo". I understood immediately what she meant. So we sat down on the bench.
bad joke, horrible joke. you exposing your low thinking capacity
olaiya18
1
all football atimes
Fetbcdmosy
5
Autty is a stupid mad man idiot, that's why I don't read anything written by the foolish man called Autty. as long as he hates CR7, I will continue to hate Autty the foolish man
Viktoree4
0
My daughter and I went at the invisible park, we were walking around the park and she got tired and told me "Dad let's Ronaldo". I understood immediately what she meant. So we sat down on the bench.
Not funny at all and you’re a liar also Making absurd joking of a man greater than your generation
cuoaikosz
2
thunder will fire this app for making me waist my mb
fupalruy
2
where's the £60 million boost? and Antony only has 3 goals, no assists
Julius4ManU
2
so where is the unexpected 60m boast ahead of January transfer window
iffy1985
2
Casemiro you really tried
Netbrsu
3
CARLOS CASAMERO
hilton1985
5
My daughter and I went at the invisible park, we were walking around the park and she got tired and told me "Dad let's Ronaldo". I understood immediately what she meant. So we sat down on the bench.
UnitedAkonam
0
misleading article.[ko]
Voybdlory
3
Manchester United oak very useless they make me lose yesterday stupid team