'He is missed': Rodrygo on Casemiro's Real Madrid exit

Rodrygo has admitted Real Madrid have missed Casemiro this season following the midfielder’s summer move to Manchester United.

Casemiro made the surprising switch in the summer and has been key to United’s resurgence under Erik ten Hag, dominating midfield as the Red Devils eye an unlikely title challenge and a Champions League spot at the minimum.

However, his exit has not been dealt with well by Real, who have struggled to replicate the former Sao Paulo man’s presence in the centre of the pitch. There is also increased pressure on youngsters like Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga to step up with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric firmly in the twilight of their careers.

Los Blancos are 11 points behind Barcelona having played a game fewer in La Liga’s title race and Rodrygo has revealed Casemiro’s absence has been difficult to deal with both on and off the pitch.

He told Goal: “In everything, in everything. He is very much missed for us, because he always helped us a lot both on the pitch and off it.

“Because we are young and we need a lot of things and he, because he’s been with us for a long time, just like Marcelo, they both always helped us and we miss them both.”

Casemiro will return to Camp Nou for the first time as a former Real player on Thursday night when Man Utd face Barcelona in the first leg of their Europa League knockout playoff round tie.