Rafinha will love his Manchester United star Casemiro in his side Barcelona as the two clubs gear up for a Europa League clash.
The Reds travel to the Camp Nou tonight for the first leg of the Europa League play-offs against the Catalan powerhouse, with Xavi's side playing the second leg next week at Old Trafford. And ahead of the game, Rafinha, who joined the Spanish giants from Leeds United in the summer, said his international team-mate was someone he would be happy to play with at club level. Casemiro has quickly established himself as one of United's most important players since joining from Barça rivals Real Madrid. Rafinha, who plays alongside the midfielder for Brazil, is a big fan of the 30-year-old.
"Casemiro is a player I talk about all the time with my friends and family," Rafinha told ESPN Brazil.
"In addition to his experience in football and all that he has achieved in football, he is a great leader, a great human being and succeeds in completing the team with the qualities that he possesses. For me, he is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. ”
Rafinha praised United when asked about them before the match and knows Barcelona have to do their best to beat Erik ten Hug's side. are third in the Premier League and this weekend's Carabao Cup final, with Xavi's team leading the La Liga by eight points.
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Manchester United fans hail loan signing Wout Weghorst as the new Marouane Fellaini after Erik ten Hag deployed the six-foot-tall striker in the No. 10 spot behind Marcus Rashford against Barcelona.
Manchester United and Barcelona drew 2-2 in an unbelievable Europa League draw
From the beginning, you can see Wout Weghorst playing deeper
Fans on social media were quick to compare the striker to Marouane Fellaini
Manchester United fans have hailed loaned striker Wout Weghorst as the new Marouane Fellaini following his No 10 role against Barcelona.
Erik ten Hag's side drew 2-2 with the Catalan giants at Camp Nou but the Dutchman made some tactical decisions before the game even started.
Weghorst, who was brought in to fill United's No 9, was positioned behind Marcus Rashford with Bruno Fernandes on the right and Jadon Sancho on the left.
The number 10 position is not a position that Weghorst is too familiar with, he has been a striker at AZ Alkmaar, Wolfsburg, Burnley and Besiktas.
Weghorst played relatively calmly, but let Rashford exploit Barcelona's upper line with his speed. Erik ten Hag plays Wout Weghorst as No 10 behind Marcus Rashford against Barcelona
Fans were quick to compare Weghorst to former Man United star Marouane Fellaini, who regularly plays the No 10 role
Fans on social media were quick to compare the Dutch striker to Fellaini - who played in multiple positions during his seven years at Old Trafford.
The Belgian is known for scoring important goals when he arrives late in the box, grabs the ball in the air and heads the ball.
One fan who saw the resemblance said:
"Weghorst plays Fellaini, there's plenty of time for that."
Meanwhile, a second person added:
“Fellaini walked so Weghorst could run.
The third said:
'Wout Weghorst plays Marouane Fellaini as he did over the weekend. David Moyes was ahead of his time.
And the fourth adds:
"I love watching Wout Weghorst play as a No 10, that really gives me a Marouane Fellaini vibe."
It remains to be seen whether Ten Hag will use Weghorst as a number 10 in the future, but he is pleased with how it played out against Barcelona. Weghorst had a great chance to put United ahead at half-time but it was denied by Ter Stegen
Manchester United fans took to social media to compare Weghorst to Fellaini after he changed positions
"It's not just about Wout, but he's done really well in that position. I know he can do it, that gives us a lot of change," he said.
"I wanted Jadon and Bruno into the midfield, getting the ball and making deep passes, with the full-backs joining us we had a lot of variation and a lot of chances."
Weghorst took advantage of a superb opportunity to put United 1-0 up in the first half after being turned down by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The Dutchman, who will stay at United until the end of the season, hopes he can make a difference when Barcelona travel to Old Trafford for the second leg next Thursday.
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