Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has lauded teammate Casemiro this week.

The Frenchman, who also played with the Brazilian midfielder at Real Madrid, has come to the defense of his colleague.

Casemiro has come in for significant criticism for his poor performances in the Premier League this season.

Speaking to Manutd.com, he said of Casemiro: “He brings a lot of balance on the team, I think he can cut out a lot of counter-attacks we could concede.

“It's just amazing and with him, I have a great connection on the pitch, even without talking, we know exactly where we're going to move for each other. It's very helpful for the team to have a player like him."

United legend Paul Parker added the following to Bettors on Casemiro this week: “He wants to attack, defend, go into the duels, run with the ball, get into the box and get all the way back to make a tackle in his own box and I get why he is doing it but it's wrong.

“It's like the kid in school who is so much better than the rest so he wants to do everything himself but in the end it makes him look bad, even though he does it from a good heart. He does it because the younger players around him are just walking around. Rasmus Hojlund is the only one who is working hard and a lot of the players are being disrespectful to Casemiro by the way they just walk around on the pitch.

“Casemiro is trying his best but it's not working at the moment. Casemiro is a super player, so I have no doubt that he will improve once he gets this stability around him. He needs some help from the players around him."