'It's an honour' – Man United star shows true colours as he sends message to team-mate

Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte has been full of praise for Casemiro, with the Brazilian star seemingly turning a corner under Ruben Amorim after a rough couple of months

Manchester United star Manuel Ugarte has claimed it's an honour to play alongside Casemiro.

The Uruguayan midfielder was talking after United's comprehensive 3-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday. Casemiro has hit something of a purple patch lately, and despite being on the bench for the clash with the Foxes, the Brazilian has begun to turn his career around at United following a tricky few months.

After United's 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United on December 30, Casemiro went a month without playing. However, he has now started in four of United's past six games. In what will be a huge confidence booster, the 33-year-old also received a standing ovation when he came off in the second half of the 4-1 Europa League victory over Real Sociedad last Thursday.

Ugarte replaced Casemiro in the centre of United's midfield for the game against Leicester, bringing his run of three successive starts to an end. They're in direct competition to earn a starting berth, but that hasn't stopped the former from eulogising over his team-mate.

"Well, I talk a lot with Case; we have a very good relationship," Ugarte told Telemundo Deportes after the Leicester game. "No one can deny what he has won. It's an honour to train with him and live with him day by day. You learn a lot in the field, too."

Casemiro was signed from Real Madrid by former manager Erik ten Hag in August 2022. The deal to bring the five-time Champions League winner was thought to be in the region of £70million, and despite a bright start, a series of mistakes saw the midfielder heavily criticised.

However, Casemiro's return to form has not gone unnoticed by Ruben Amorim. "I think he’s improving his game and I’m improving the way I should use a player like Casemiro," the United boss said last week. "I think you can feel that our team is more connected, even defending. That can help Casemiro a lot. Because he’s so smart, intelligent, reading the game. In short spaces he can understand where the ball is going."

Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leicester were outclassed by a slick United as goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes saw United climb to 13th in the Premier League with the 3-0 victory, and Ugarte also spared a word for the United goalscorers.

"Without a doubt, attackers sometimes go through periods where they don't score," he said. "But the important thing is that they have that confidence, and we give them the confidence that they will score again. Today, fortunately, it was shown. I am very happy for them, and now we continue.

"Bruno shows that game by game through goals and assists, but not only that; also defensively, he commits a lot. That's why he's the captain, and we're all with him. I’m very happy for the level he's showing."