Casemiro's game-winning effort helped Manchester United defeat Bournemouth 1-0, and manager Erik ten Hag praised the midfielder, saying his "contribution is massive" to the team and that he has above expectations.
United needed just one point from their final two games to ensure a top-four finish and qualification for the Champions League when Casemiro scored in the ninth minute of play with an acrobatic finish at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
A lofted through-pass from Christian Eriksen set up the goal; Marcos Senesi attempted to hold the ball up but unintentionally set up Casemiro, who delivered an incredible scissor kick to score past Neto.
Following his £70 million transfer from Real Madrid in August, Casemiro has been one of United's star players this season, and Ten Hag is thrilled with his influence.
Ten Hag responded positively when asked if Casemiro had exceeded expectations since moving to Man United last summer.
"Absolutely, by far,"- Erik Ten Hag stated.
"One of the things came out of our analysis was that we missed a player in the midfield, we studied this and we searched for this, it was not easy because there are not many in the profile who fits to the standard of Manchester United."
"We are happy we found him and his contribution is massive. I think even you miss him over eight or nine games through suspension -- in the start of the season he wasn't even there, but when he plays, you bring balance to the midfield and we've had a lot of wins with this midfield."
"He keeps surprising you. He's such a brilliant football player. We know him as very good with organisation, anticipation, winning duels, fighting and keeping the team together but in possession his passing distribution and finishing is very important," he added.
On Saturday, United came within a few minutes of earning that top-four finish, but Roberto Firmino's injury-time goal against Aston Villa kept Liverpool in the race for the Champions League positions.
Ten Hag insisted he is not concerned with what was happening at Anfield despite the drama outside and the Merseyside's breathing down on their neck in the race for top four.
"It's not important and I'm telling you for weeks, it's not about our opponents," he said.
"We are in the lead, it's only up to us. We have everything in our hands, we don't have to look behind and we have to make our performance and when we do it, there's nothing to do with any other teams
The Dutchman praised United's performance against Bournemouth, particularly their dominance in the first third of the game.
"I am very happy," he said.
"The first 25 minutes was a very good performance, maybe one of the highest levels of the season. It's the way we want to play football, pin the opponent back, good counter-press, good press against a good team.
"A clean sheet is always very important to be successful in a season. It's telling something about our structure and plan and dedication from the team and the belief they have in the plan and how they execute it."
"We also have great players in the pressing, defending and in the end we have a very good goalkeeper."
Erik ten Hag has stated that Anthony Martial stormed down the tunnel after being replaced in Manchester United's victory over Bournemouth but eventually joined his colleagues on the bench.
After scoring in the win over Wolves last weekend, the attacker was given another start on Saturday at the Vitality Stadium.
Casemiro's spectacular acrobatic attempt gave United the lead in the first half and they were eager to score another to end the match. On the hour mark, though, Ten Hag made the decision to replace Martial with Wout Weghorst.
When his name was called, the Frenchman slowly left the field and proceeded straight down the tunnel with a puzzled expression on his face.
When questioned after the game, Ten Hag was keen to downplay the incident, telling talkSPORT that his striker went back to the dugout to watch the remaining action.
"I think he played well, he returned to the bench, he’s OK,’ ten Hag said.
‘I think he just shot into the dressing room, I don’t know what you want to make from it.’
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