Casemiro showed his leadership skills yet again, by pointing to much criticised Manchester United teammate Antony who assisted his first FA Cup goal.
Antony played a brilliant pass to his countryman inside Reading’s box, with Casemiro scooping the ball over the on-rushing Joe Lumley during a 3-1 win.
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“What a player, what a finish, and what a move from Manchester United,” commented talkSPORT’s Micky Gray.
He later added a second from range, with the £60million signing from Real Madrid again looking like a bargain.
It’s not just the 30-year-old’s goals that stand out, though, with his leadership qualities clearly part of his incredible five Champions League wins.
And that elite mentality was on display once more for his first goal against Reading, with Casemiro making sure the celebrations weren’t for him.
Grabbing his Brazil teammate Antony after finding the net, he pointed to the man who assisted his goal after a tough week for the winger.
An £85million summer signing from Ajax, Antony has struggled after a quick start.
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His performance in a detrimental 3-2 Premier League to Arsenal loss only compounded matters, with the criticism heading his way in the aftermath.
United legend Rio Ferdinand said in the aftermath: “The concerning thing for me with somebody like Antony is that he can’t beat anyone – and for a Brazilian that’s surprising!
“He just doesn’t beat anyone and I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Was that always the way?’”
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talkSPORT’s Darren Bent commented: “All tricks and flicks, no substance at the minute.
“He’s doing all this stuff but he’s not going past anyone. It’s not like he’s doing a trick to manipulate the ball to go past someone, he’s just doing it for the sake of it.”
His manager, Erik ten Hag was forced to defend his former Ajax star, saying: “When he’s playing, the team is winning. That already gives a message of how well he is performing.”
And United have won again, this time with Antony making a difference, and perhaps, silencing some doubts.
