Casemiro called Man United chief John Murtough hours after watching their defeat at Brentford

Manchester United were convinced Casemiro would be the real deal at Old Trafford with an encouraging phone call he made after their 4-0 loss at Brentford in August.

United were in advanced negotiations with the Real Madrid superstar when he was humiliated in Erik ten Hag’s first away game, followed closely on TV by Casemiro who was still in Spain.

But any fears the five-time Champions League winner might want to step down from the move were allayed when 30-year-old Brazilian football director John Murtough assured him he was delighted to be part of the revamp that he had seen with his own eyes the club needed it.

It convinced United that paying £70m for the Brazilian a week later would be a smart move despite having been stung in the past by handing big wages to fellow aging South Americans Alexis Sanchez and Edinson Cavani.

His attitude also contrasted sharply with Frenkie de Jong still looking lukewarm about a move to England as Barcelona tried to offload him to raise funds.

So far, Casemiro has more than fulfilled his end of the bargain. After patiently waiting for his place in the team, he was a huge reason for United’s improved results, protecting the defense as a midfielder.

They travel to Aston Villa on Sunday conceding just one goal in their last seven matches – and that Jorginho penalty from Chelsea.

A poor start to the season saw Manchester United hammered 4-0 by Brentford in August

Despite the heavy defeat, Casemiro called Chief John Murtough (right) to reassure him

United’s recruitment record has been poor in recent seasons, forcing a change in policy to only bring in players who genuinely want to play for them.

Ajax pair Lisandro Martinez and Antony both had to work hard to persuade their Dutch club to allow them to move to England – thereby persuading United they would fit into the new culture ten Hag is building at Old Trafford .

It will certainly be a very different United to the one new Villa manager Unai Emery faced as Villarreal boss in the 2021 Europa League final.

Spain underdogs Emery beat United on penalties that night but ten Hag can only choose three from the same starting line-up selected by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer just over a year ago.

The Brazilian midfielder has shone in the Man United midfield since joining the team

From this United team, Paul Pogba and Cavani left, Eric Bailly was sent on loan to Marseille and Victor Lindelof and Aaron wan-Bissaka dropped out of the pecking order. Mason Greenwood is facing legal action.

Three of the substitutes used by Solskjaer – Dan James, Juan Mata and Alex Telles – are also not at the club. Instead, they signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and Casemiro for a combined price of £300million.

Bruno Fernandes is suspended for Villa Park after taking five bookings.