Manchester United chant after Leicester City win backs up Casemiro's spiky response to telling question

After serenading Ruud van Nistelrooy for what might well be the final time, the Old Trafford faithful turned their attention to the players and one of them in particular. As the squad made their way towards the tunnel, Casemiro's name once again echoed down from the Stretford End.

That came after he had received a thunderous ovation when he was substituted 11 minutes from the end of a resounding 3-0 victory against Leicester City, appreciation for another excellent performance from a player who has enjoyed an unexpected but very welcome renaissance.

When he was taken off at half-time against Liverpool on September 1, it really did look like the Brazilian's career at the highest level was over. Those obituaries for a five-time Champions League winner have now been put in the shredder.

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He has gradually found his feet once again and has now started five successive games. He scored the final goal of the Erik ten Hag era, which might be considered somehwat ironic given their relationship had frayed by the end. As Casemiro's form plummeted last season, the one unknown was how much of that was down to a system leaving him woefully exposed.

Now we seem to have an answer. In four games under Ruud van Nistelrooy, there has been more structure, and Casemiro's partnership with Manuel Ugarte, the man signed to replace him, has flourished. They began all four of those games together.

As Ruben Amorim prepares to take over, Casemiro's spot as an invaluable member of the starting XI suddenly looks restored. With his confidence returning, the leadership skills valued in his first season after a £70m move from Real Madrid are also returning.

So too, is that spikiness. When Casemiro spoke to reporters after the win against the Foxes he was asked whether his form was improving this season, and he made it very clear what he thought.

"Well, everyone can see can’t they? I only had the Liverpool game, right? The whole team was not good in that game," he said..

"But individually, of course when the goals are missed, of course it ends up hurting the team more, but I think it's been a good season for me. I want to continue growing, I want to continue helping my team-mates and the coach, helping Manchester United grow and well, everyone knows what my job is."

That Casemiro has had the chance to re-establish himself as a key figure at Old Trafford came about more through luck than judgement. After his woes in his second season, he was available for transfer in the summer, only for a lack of interest to put paid to any exit.

With two years remaining on a contract worth in excess of £300,000-a-week, United were willing to part with the Brazilian to fund other transfer activity, especially with Ugarte earmarked to replace him. But Saudi clubs showed little interest in Casemiro, and he ended up staying, with Ugarte arriving on the final day of the window. Rather than replacing him, the two South Americans have now formed a potent partnership in United's midfield.

Van Nistelrooy showed the faith in Ugarte that Ten Hag lacked, and he quickly developed a close relationship with Casemiro. The two shared a lengthy hug on the pitch after Casemiro scored twice in the Carabao Cup win against Leicester City. That partnership with Ugarte could now be vital in Amorim's 3-4-3, and Casemiro believes their four-game stint together has seen an understanding blossom.

"I have a good connection with him. When one goes forward, the other covers, and vice versa. That is how it has to be, one compliments the other. I think the other games have been like this," he said.

"He is a great person. Then, little by little he is also showing that he is a national team player from Uruguay, from a team that has good players. Then he has total respect, not only mine, but all the players. And well, it is good for us to have good players, so we have a much better squad."

Casemiro remains a key part of the squad, a situation that didn't look likely just a couple of months ago.