Casemiro leads the way among United players for tackles with 52, is second behind Fernandes in recoveries with 51 and second for duels won, only bettered by Patrick Dorgu.
"He has played a crucial role since I took over," said Carrick. "I deeply respect what he does and his daily work ethic. The determination and drive he has - you can only achieve so much with those qualities. He is eager to finish the season strongly."
Casemiro also received praise from an unlikely source in Jamie Carragher. The Liverpool legend effectively wrote the Brazilian’s footballing obituary after the 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace towards the end of the 2023-24 campaign, but finally climbed down from that position on Sunday.
"It is now fair to say the football has not left him," Carragher said on Sky Sports. "Credit to him, he looks a completely different player. He looks like a different player physically as well.
"Even when I said that, you looked at him and he looked like an old man coming to the end of his time as a player. And whether he let himself go a little bit, or now he's being ultra-professional, physically, he looks completely different."