Casemiro urges owners to use City as a mirror for Utd rebuild،
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro says the club's new minority owners should use Manchester City as “a mirror” in their bid to return the team to the top of English football.
United were swept aside by City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, losing 3-1 despite Marcus Rashford's opener.
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It was the first Manchester derby since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's participation was confirmed at Old Trafford and a stark reminder of the gulf between the two teams.
Asked if he sees positive signs from the new minority ownership group and if United still have a long way to go to reach City, Casemiro told ESPN Brazil: “That's the big goal , we must also be humble to accept that they are at the moment, not in history, because the history of Manchester United speaks for itself, but today they are the team to beat.All the world wants to beat City.
“We have a mirror here, it’s City, and they’ve done a great job.”
Ratcliffe, chief executive of chemicals company INEOS, has pledged to “knock City off its perch” within three years.
It is hoped the arrival of the 71-year-old British billionaire will spark a resurgence after more than 10 years without a title – a period in which City have won the Premier League six times.
“Of course, when people come from outside who want to add and evolve the level of the club, it is always important,” Casemiro said.
“It is very clear that the company [INEOS] and the new owners want to do it. I hope they [new owners] come and grow with us, because it is important for the club to have people who want to grow here.”
United took the lead against City thanks to a wonder strike from Rashford, but were second for much of the afternoon.
Pep Guardiola's side managed 27 shots on goal to United's three, but Erik ten Hag later argued the result had not shown there was a significant gap between the two sides.
“No, I don’t think so, absolutely not,” the United boss said.
“You can see we have a lot of problems with injuries and we still had an opportunity. Really small margins and we could have scored the second goal in a questionable moment.
“It's not that big [a gap] and when everyone is on board, we can be competitive. I also think we showed it in the Cup final against them, when it was very close, but City are the best team in the world at the moment. Don't forget that. We were really close to winning or at least getting a point here. »
Insights from ESPN's João Castelo-Branco contributed to this report
