Casemiro explains Ten Hag's 'obsession' ahead of Manchester United vs Manchester City clash 

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has explained Erik ten Hag's obsession with winning and taking the club back to the top of English football. The Red Devils are gearing up for a Premier League derby clash with cross-city rivals Manchester City on Saturday (January 14).

Casemiro, 30, joined United from Real Madrid in the summer for £70 million and has been a standout performer for Ten Hag's side. He has made 24 appearances across competitions, scoring two goals and providing four assists. Ten Hag dubs him as 'the cement between the stones'.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag's arrival at Old Trafford has been just as impressive, as he has overseen a massive turnaround after a miserable 2021-22 campaign. The Red Devils will move within a point of second-placed Manchester City with a win on Saturday.

Ten Hag has been lauded by Casemiro, who explained that the manager's obsession with winning sets him apart from others he has played under. Casemiro said (via Mirror):

"He’s certainly a manager who is obsessed with winning. Few managers in my career had the same obsession to win. He’s someone who always wants to win, even in training, he always wants the best."

The Brazil international has played under the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid. However, he has been impressed by Ten Hag's eagerness to win and bring back the glory days to Manchester United:

“He’s a hard-working manager who demands a lot of his players, so that we’re always at our best, and that’s important for us. I also view him as a manager with the desire to see Manchester United grow and develop - that’s one of his most important characteristics."

He concluded by explaining how United players are gaining an understanding of the philosophy Ten Hag is implementing:

“We are growing; we are developing very well and understand the manager better; this is really important to win trophies. We know that it’s a process; it’s very important to adapt to this process quickly."

United have 35 points after 17 games, winning 11.

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Manchester United boss Ten Hag spoke glowingly of Casemiro's impact

The Brazilian has won praise from Ten Hag (not in pic).

Ten Hag was equally endearing when speaking about the impact Casemiro has had since arriving at Manchester United in the summer.

The Dutchman spoke to reporters before the Manchester derby:

"That is quite obvious (an impact). I said it from the beginning, this team, needed a No.6. Control, holding midfielder; he is so important. He is the cement between the stones. Defence, knows his position, points others into position, winning balls, duels mainly; in possession, he can speed up the game. We are really happy to have him on board."

The cement between the stones is the right way to describe the impact Casemiro has had at the Red Devils. They have lost just two league games since his arrival in September. Ten Hag's side concede 0.6 goals and 8.4 shots on average per game with the midfielder as against 1.5 goals and 11.5 shots per outing without him.