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Rio Ferdinand has highlighted how impressive Casemiro 's response was to being the last-choice midfielder at Manchester United during last season. He has now started all but one of their Premier League matches this term, when available; the Manchester derby , which United lost 3-0, was the only exception. Asked about the Brazil international after Saturday's 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion , United head coach Ruben Amorim said: "I think he gives a lot of experience. He's an example for everyone. "In the beginning, he was behind every midfielder, even Toby [Collyer], but he fought and he worked, and now he's back in the national team. He's so important for us." The 33-year-old was instrumental on the weekend as he scored and assisted in the win over Brighton , who had proven to be a bit of a bogey team for United in recent times. Ferdinand has now responded to Amorim's comment, admitting that Casemiro would've been 'embarrassed' by his status in the squad last term. However, the former United skipper heaped praise on the Brazilian for showing the determination to bounce back. He said on Rio Ferdinand Presents : "That could have absolutely humiliated him, and it would have. Football players are intelligent in a football environment. "They all smell where they are in the pecking order. So if Amorim's telling you that, every player in that squad would have known Casemiro is at the back of their pack, Toby's being called upon before him. "Do you know how embarrassing that would have been for Casemiro? But for him to roll his sleeves up and say: 'ain't happening, you all know I'm better than him, you all know I'm the best holding midfielder at the club. Watch this space.' "Toby Collyer's at West Brom now. That's no disrespect; I think he's a really good young player with a bright future. "I'm just talking about the element of Casemiro having that grit and determination to roll his sleeves up and say, 'No, you're not going to embarrass me, you're not going to roll me out of this club like that, after what I've done. Let's go.'" Ferdinand also brought up comments Jamie Carragher made about the midfielder last season. The United icon called out Carragher last year for his 'disrespectful' remarks about Casemiro and hit out at them once again on Monday. "Recently, he's looked like the old Casemiro, and it takes me back to what was said by Jamie Carragher about 'leave the football before the football leaves you,'" he recalled. "I said at the time I thought it was highly disrespectful when you're talking about a five-time Champions League winner who's going through, maybe just a change in their approach to football, going through a time where he looked out of sorts. Players lose confidence; they lose form. "Sometimes, players' legs go. But I think the call was too early, and I thought it was highly disrespectful for someone who has achieved so much in this game." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
