Casemiro celebrates Joshua Zirkzee's goal at Real Sociedad
Casemiro celebrates Joshua Zirkzee's goal at Real Sociedad
Casemiro has backed Manchester United team-mate Joshua Zirkzee to prove his worth after a tough first season at the club.
Zirkzee scored in United's 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad in the Europa League last 16, four days after missing the decisive spot-kick in a FA Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Fulham.
The goal was only Zikzee's second in his last 17 games for United, but Casemiro said the 23-year-old forward brings more to the team in terms of his style of play.
“I'm very happy for him and I hope he continues to score goals, which is important for us,” said Casemiro.
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“He's a very good player. He's not a number nine who stays in the middle. He's a nine who goes out more to the wings, which is why he plays as a bit of a No.10, which is what this coach likes.
“He's very good, he’s got a lot of quality, he likes to control the ball, to spin. He's a player who has more quality. It's a waste to have him standing up front alone.
“He's not a player who always wants to be up there, leading the attack and scoring goals that way. He's more of a player who wants to play and create.”
Joshua Zirkzee was on target for United in the Basque Country
Joshua Zirkzee was on target for United in the Basque Country
On his own situation, Casemiro said: “Of course I want to play, but I always say, and these are my values, that I respect the coach a lot, I respect the club,” said Casemiro.
“Every day I go to Carrington or Old Trafford, I try to do my best. If a player is on the bench and is happy, that player is not worth anything for any team.
“Of course I want to play, I want to have more minutes, but the coach is the one who makes the decisions and I have a lot of respect for him and for the club.
Casemiro says he's enjoying playing under Ruben Amorim
Casemiro says he's enjoying playing under Ruben Amorim
“It's too soon to talk about next season, but of course I have another year of contract and then an option. We have important games and on Sunday we have Arsenal.
“I'm here, I'm available, with total happiness, and I'm ready for the coach and the club. As everyone knows, I'm a big character for the club."
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