Gary Neville says Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Raphael Varane and David de Gea are Manchester United’s most important players.
But there was no room for Bruno Fernandes, as the Red Devils legend left the stand-in skipper out of his top three.
Fernandes has established himself as one of United‘s key players since joining from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, where he has often worn the captain’s armband with Harry Maguire regularly benched by Erik ten Hag.
However he has been overlooked by Neville – despite the Portugal international chipping in with seven goals and ten assists in 39 games in all competitions this term.
Unsurprisingly, Rashford and Casemiro are in the top two, with the latter’s move from Real Madrid last summer leading to with United’s rise up the Premier League table.
Rashford is currently enjoying his best ever season in terms of goals having banged in 25 goals, while also providing nine assists.
As for defensive midfielder Casemiro, he has found the back of the net five times – including during last weekend’s Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle.
Giving his rundown on Sky Sports, Neville said: “I’d go in order, I’d go Casemiro, I’d go Rashford, I’d go [David] De Gea and [Raphael] Varane – equal third at this moment in time.
“I can’t believe that I’m saying – forget Casemiro he wasn’t here last year – but I can’t believe that I’m saying that Varane, De Gea and Rashford have elevated themselves into a position whereby you feel they are in great form, without them, that Manchester United…
“You saw last night [against West Ham in FA Cup], De Gea made saves, Rashford had to come on, Casemiro has to come on, Varane didn’t come on.
“But I do feel as though he’s the most important centre-back now – particularly in the big matches.
“And that’s why he was rested, and he gets rested for the bigger games.
“Obviously he has injury problems sometimes and has done in the last two or three years.
“But Casemiro followed by Rashford, and then I’d go for Varane and De Gea in third position equally.”
The quartet are set to start against Liverpool on Sunday where anything but a win for United would put a serious dent in their faint title hopes.
United are currently sit in third spot – 11 points behind league leaders Arsenal – though Ten Hag’s men do have a game in hand over the Gunners as well as second-placed Manchester City, who they are six points behind.
