Casemiro tells Erik Ten Hag of

Casemiro has hinted to new boss Erik ten Hag that his perfect partner in Manchester United's midfield could be the much-maligned Fred.

The Brazilian has joined United in a £60million move from Real Madrid and arrives as one of the world's highest-rated defensive midfielders. He is expected to go straight into their starting line-up for the visit to Southampton on Saturday, having watched the win over Liverpool from the Old Trafford stands.

Ten Hag has deployed a combination of midfield options in an attempt to find his best set-up. Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes and Fred have all been used in a variety of different roles.

And Casemiro has now hinted that he believes that Fred, his team-mate on the international stage for Brazil, will be the best man to pair him with. United's newest signing hailed his compatriot, insisting he is a "great player".

"Well, before coming here I spoke to Fred. He's a friend who I've played alongside in the national team for a good number of games and years. I know him well. He's a great player," Casemiro told United's club website.

"That's why he plays for Manchester United and for the Brazilian national team, which is difficult to get into. So, I have a special relationship with him and of course he's a great player and that's why he plays for Manchester United.

HAVE YOUR SAY! What should be Manchester United's starting line-up for their trip to Southampton? Comment below.

"Fred has a lot of qualities. I think he's a player that has good movement. He's very mobile, passes the ball well, he has a good shot on him, he can play with both feet, left or right, he can pass the ball well with either foot. He's a great player.

"Again, that's why he plays for the Brazil and he's a very important player at this club and I think he'll help me a great deal as he's Brazilian. I think he'll help me a lot at the club and without doubt it's important for me to have another Brazilian here, too."

Casemiro also opened up on his style of play and it appears that he is the perfect man to help Ten Hag change the culture at Old Trafford. The 30-year-old made it clear that he expects his team-mates to put their full effort into both training and competitive matches.

"I'm a player that loves to work hard. A player that gives everything on the pitch, but not just over 90 minutes, in training too, which for me is the most important thing. You train as you play," he added.

"I think, regardless of the scoreline or what's happening on the pitch, of course everyone wants to win matches, win in training, learn in training, but I'm one of those players who wants to go home and know that I've done my job so, that's my philosophy, my mentality and now it's all about giving everything for Manchester United."