Erik ten Hag has credited Casemiro for "raising the limits" at Manchester United since his August arrival from Real Madrid.
Casemiro has forged a fruitful midfield partnership with Christian Eriksen since swapping the Santiago Bernabeu – where he won five Champions League titles – for Old Trafford.
With United just one point adrift of the Premier League's top four ahead of Saturday's trip to Wolves, Ten Hag believes the Brazil international's presence has had a huge impact on his team.
Asked about Madrid's decision to part company with Casemiro, Ten Hag said: "I'm happy they sold him, he's a magnificent player.
"Our analysis was that we needed someone in the [number] six position. We had lot of discussions about it in this room, but we needed the right player.
"We definitely have the right player. We're happy to have him, he is raising the limits for Manchester United."
Another tenacious South American has emerged as a key part of Ten Hag's side after arriving in the last transfer window, with Argentina's Lisandro Martinez making a centre-back spot his own.
Martinez was absent as United beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 on their return to Premier League action after helping Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar, and Ten Hag hopes that achievement will benefit the defender's development.
"It will be a boost, he has confidence in himself, this experience will strengthen him even more," Ten Hag added.
"Argentina played to win, others played to not lose. He also showed that mentality for Manchester United – when it's difficult to stand up, it will help us even more.
"I didn't doubt him, that's why I brought him in. He has high potential. If he works well, he can make huge progress, he has huge space for improvement.
"That experience is so emotional, and now you have to manage it as a player. It's a good challenge, if you survive the challenge you're going to be a better player."
Meanwhile, Ten Hag confirmed winger Jadon Sancho has returned to training, having been left out since a draw against Chelsea in October after being deemed "not in the right status or fitness state" to play.
"The time is not now but he's making progress and we will see when he is ready to return," Ten Hag said. "He's back in Manchester and started individual training."
Norwich City 0-0 Leeds United: Championship play-off finely poised for second leg
Norwich City and Leeds United could not be separated in a goalless draw in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, leaving it all to play for at Elland Road.
Junior Firpo put the ball into the back of the net in the 30th minute, but it was ruled out for a marginal offside by Georginio Rutter in the build-up at Carrow Road.
Marcelino Nunez failed to take Norwich's best chance in the first half, firing wide of the left post after Leeds had an early penalty shout for a foul on Wilfried Gnonto by Borja Sainz dismissed by the referee.
The sides will meet again on Thursday at Elland Road for a winner-takes-all-decider and a place in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium on May 26.
Data Debrief: Stalemate
Norwich have failed to score in a home game for the first time since December. It is also the first time they have failed to win an EFL play-off at home, winning both of the previous two by a 3-1 scoreline (vs Wolves in 2001-02 and Ipswich Town in 2014-15).
Leeds only attempted six shots in this game (two on target), their lowest total in a single match in the Championship this season.
Messi fury sees Martino call for MLS rules revision on injuries
Lionel Messi was left frustrated by being kept on the sidelines after an injury scare in Saturday's win over CF Montreal, with Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino calling for a revision of MLS rulings.
The former Barcelona superstar was visibly furious after being forced off temporarily from a George Campbell foul, with the Miami forward missing a chance to take a presentable free-kick opportunity.
New MLS regulations state players must leave the pitch for two minutes if the referee stops play due to a potential injury that leaves them on the ground for over 15 seconds.
Following the 3-2 triumph over Montreal, Martino questioned the ruling and suggested it punished the wrong party.
"There are situations that must be revised," the Herons boss said.
"In Leo's situation, he was clearly fouled. The player deserved a yellow card, which would mean Messi would've never left the field for two minutes.
"As I understand it, the team that suffered the foul was punished. With these new rule changes, some situations must be revised.
"The infraction was clear and was a yellow card, and ultimately it was us that lost Leo for two minutes."
Miami were left further aggrieved despite making it five straight wins to move three points clear at the Eastern Conference summit.
Luis Suarez failed to leave the pitch in under 10 seconds when replaced by Leo Campana in the 92nd minute, with new MLS regulations meaning the fourth official delayed the substitution for another minute.
"In the case of Suarez, we had a very important difference with the fourth referee in respect to the minute," Martino added.
"We thought Suarez exited the pitch in under a minute, he did not see it that way and so Leo Campana's entry to the game was delayed."
Navas to leave PSG at end of season
Keylor Navas has confirmed that he will leave Paris Saint-Germain when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Navas joined PSG in 2019, making 113 appearances for the club while keeping 51 clean sheets. He won nine major honours with the French club, including three Ligue 1 titles and two Coupe de France medals. He also collected a Champions League runner-up medal in 2019-20.
Navas served as the first-choice goalkeeper for the first two seasons but has struggled for playing time since Gianluigi Donnarumma joined the club in 2021.
Since returning to PSG after a loan spell at Nottingham Forest, Navas has made just three Ligue 1 appearances this campaign.
In a statement on social media, Navas confirmed that he would be leaving the French capital and will use their home game against Toulouse on Sunday to say goodbye to the fans.
He said: “Every second spent at the Parc des Princes was wonderful.
“Thank God, I have always felt love and encouragement.
“It was an honour to defend this badge in this incredible stadium.
“I still have some goals to accomplish, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to say goodbye to what used to be my home.”
His departure follows the news that Kylian Mbappe will also be leaving the Ligue 1 champions, with the forward making his announcement on Friday.
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