Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag signed Casemiro from Real Madrid over the summer but the Brazilian hasn’t started a Premier League game
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has lifted the lid on why he hasn’t handed Casemiro his first start in the Premier League since his summer move.
Man United lured Casemiro from Real Madrid some months back in a transfer fee that could rise to €70m based on on-pitch performances [add-ons].
The Brazilian was unveiled as Ten Hag’s latest signing in August during Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Despite being a regular starter during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Brazil international has not started a single league game for the Red Devils, thanks to Scott McTominay’s upturn in form.
Although the 30-year-old midfielder is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe, Ten Hag has resisted the temptation to throw in the ex-Madrid man into the starting lineup due to McTominay’s recent top form.
Several United fans are losing patience with the Dutchman as they believe Casemiro is an obvious upgrade to the Scotland international but Ten Hag has dallied on making the necessary tactical change.
Ten Hag maintained the same starting lineup as the one that recorded four wins on a bounce against Manchester City on Sunday but fell short as they trailed the Citizens 4-0 at half-time.
McTominay, like many others, underperformed against City and was hauled off in the second half for Casemiro, who would go on to put in a better performance. And some fans are expecting the Dutch tactician to eventually integrate the ex-Real midfielder into the first team.
After the game, he explained why the summer signing has started all of his four Premier League appearances as a substitute: “On the day we signed him we started to win. The team was doing well. It is not against Casemiro, it is for Scott McTominay.
“I am sure he will be important for us, in the short term he will find himself in the team, but it has to come in a natural way.”
Casemiro started against Real Sociedad in the Europa League but came short as Manchester United succumbed to a tight but disappointing 1-0 defeat to the La Liga side at Old Trafford.
He started on the bench against Sheriff Tiraspol, although United had already won the tie 2-0 at half-time whilst Scott McTominay was in the starting lineup.