Harry Maguire singles out Man Utd player who is 'best I've seen in air'

by Tim Hanlon

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 23:25

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire singles out his Manchester United teammate who he says is the "best I've seen" in the air.

The centre-half was full of praise for Casemiro after he scored another crucial header in the 2-1 win over Brentford.

"I thought I was good in the air until I met him," said Maguire. "His timing his leap his aggression his technique, he's the best I've seen and worked with.

"He's really clinical and he's been a massive boost for us this season as without his goals we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are in the table."

Casemiro's header against Brentford was his eighth of the season and his third in successive home games.

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For a defensive midfielder it is a quite extraordinary contribution which has been highlighted also by coach Michael Carrick.

“Case has had an influence within the group. He’s got huge experience. He’s a big player who has achieved an awful lot in the game. I have to say since I’ve arrived, he’s given everything he could possibly give," said Carrick.

Casemiro arrived after a glittering career with Real Madrid but it is only really this season - his last - where his quality has shone through.

Carrick continued: "The situation has probably helped that. Knowing exactly where he's at. He’s got nothing to hide. He’s thrown himself right into it. It’s football, players come and go.

"Players have come and left this football club over the years. You’ve got to evolve and move on and adapt. That’s the world that we’re in. It’s nice that he’s got that connection with the supporters and it comes from both ways because I know he’s an emotional guy and it means a lot to him.”

How Casemiro ranks among best United players in air

Is Casemiro the best header of a ball United have had in the Premier League era?

The stats make a compelling case. His 11 headed Premier League goals for the club put him in remarkable company — ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy on the all-time list.

Only Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and a handful of others have nodded home more times in the league for United.

But the really striking number is the percentage. Of Casemiro's 15 Premier League goals for the club, 11 have been headers — a conversion rate of 73.3%.

Only Nemanja Vidic, at 80%, beats him among United players with ten or more league goals. And Vidic was a centre-back whose entire game revolved around aerial dominance.

Casemiro does it from the middle of the park with well timed runs or from coming forward at set-plays where his understanding with Bruno Fernandes has been especially productive.

With United closing in on Champions League football and Liverpool the next test at Old Trafford on Saturday, Casemiro has saved some of his best form for the business end of the season.