Sport

Man United fans hail Casemiro as a ‘born leader’ following footage from FA Cup penalty shootout

I believe they call that 'winning mentality'.

Danny Jones - 24th April 2023

Manchester United fans are hailing Casemiro as a “born leader” and the potential next club captain after a number of clips showing his inspiring behaviour during the penalty shootout in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday appeared online.

United booked their return trip to Wembley on 3 June and secured a Manchester Derby in the FA Cup final for the first time in the competition’s history with a game-winning seventh spot kick from Victor Lindelöf after Brighton’s Solly March skied his shot over the bar.

There were some seriously impressive pens from the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho too (no doubt a big relief after the disappointment of Euro 2020) but the moment many supporters have fallen in love with is the footage of Casemiro showing his true leadership during the shootout.

As the cameras panned over the United huddle after it remained goalless following extra time, you can see the Brazilian immediately volunteering to take the first penalty and stepping up like the role model he has clearly become in the dressing room.

As you can see, United fans were made up to see him not only slot home the first penalty — which is always so crucial in a shootout — but setting the tone and an example for his teammates to be just as confident with their spot kicks.

Reacting to the video online, many fans have said it’s not only proof that the 31-year-old is a “born leader” but that it should definitely put him in contention to take the armband, especially with Harry Maguire‘s performances and captaincy looking so flimsy.

That wasn’t the only clip that Reds have been raving about either, as footage of Casemiro telling keeper David de Gea to distract the Brighton players whilst they took their penalties has also been circulating on social media.

The top-level sh*thousery and mind games never stop, especially not in knockout football.

lt seems like a distant, confabulated memory to think that the former Real Madrid man and five-time Champions League winner was ever considered to be ‘over the hill’ or a desperate signing for United.

He is now widely considered one of the best signings they have made in some time, with the club’s finally acquiring the kind of midfielder destroyers they’ve been crying out for and finally starting to find the right balance in the centre of the pitch — you only have to luck at their win percentage when Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen all start together.

The serial winner and football veteran seems to be making a habit of bringing a smile to fans’ faces whether he’s on the pitch or not, as it was only a couple of months ago in the EFL Cup final that displayed similar leadership qualities and laser focus even after the full-time whistle.

Even Roy Keane enjoyed this one:

Read more:

• This is why Andy Burnham met the Pope and gave him a Manchester United shirt
• People are losing it over Erling Haaland’s hilarious impression of John Stones’ Yorkshire accent
• Fans are loving this wholesome clip of Erik ten Hag stopping for a young United fan

One thing is for sure, the CDM and his winning mentality will play a big role in the FA Cup final, regardless of whether the result is red or blue.

Casemiro himself might not have been able to watch when it came to the decisive penalty, but he clearly helped his teammates put their best foot forward.

As for you lot, you can watch the full thing HERE.

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Featured Image — @mxnuted.aep (via TikTok)/Manchester United (via Twitter)