Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is delighted with the growing influence of Casemiro.

Ahead of meeting Europa League opponents Real Sociedad, Brazil midfielder Casemiro is set to feature in Spain two months after leaving Real Madrid for United.

The 30-year-old spent nine years at Real, winning the Champions League five times and La Liga three times.

"He told me when we had the first talk that he needs a new challenge because in Real Madrid he won everything," said Ten Hag on Wednesday.

"He was a big part of Real Madrid still, they didn't want him to go.

"But he had a feeling, he told me, that 'I have to go to another club, to another league, to prove myself' and that shows his hunger.

"I really liked that and from the first day on, he has been coming with that attitude to every training, to every match, and he proves it.

"He will be more and more important to our team."