"Bit of spike" - Redknapp says teams are frightened of Man United star

Jamie Redknapp claimed that teams are frightened of Manchester United centre-back Casemiro.

Marcus Rashford won player of the match and made headlines after his 100th career goal helped Man Utd to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over West Ham at Old Trafford.

However, Sky Sports pundit Redknapp singled out Casemiro for praise and said he the Brazilian was “frightening” the opposition.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp said: “You have to be impressed. I have looked at United’s midfield for so long and never really seen any combinations or a midfield you would be scared to play against.

“What he has done is brought so much authority to this team, calm, quality, know-how, knowing when to press, knowing when to intercept, how many times have we seen him just doing that, picking people’s pockets and then playing the right pass.

“You can see other teams looking at him like, ‘wow that’s Casemiro there’ – he’s got a little bit of spike but he knows where to be. They haven’t had that in midfield. Gary [Neville] played with magnificent midfielders at this club.

“For a long time I have looked at United’s midfield and thought it is so disjointed, there is no one that can do that job of getting hold of the ball and make the right pass.

“I thought he was excellent today. Everything he does he makes it look so simple. He played for Real Madrid for so long he knows the game inside-out.”

Casemiro was signed by Man Utd this summer for £70million, having spent the previous nine years at Real Madrid where he won three league titles and five Champions Leagues.

While it took the combative midfielder some time to settle into life at Old Trafford, in recent weeks the Brazilian has been central to Man Utd’s resurgence in form.

The only time Man Utd lost when Casemiro has started a game was the 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad on the day of the Queen's death.

Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag also admitted he was impressed by Casemiro’s recent displays at the heart of Man Utd’s midfield.

He told the press after the game: “For me he is brilliant. You can see why he wins five Champions League trophies and acting that long at the top of world football.

“We see that in every match and every training. He will only get better and better.”