Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has explained the reasons why he was unable to place Casemiro at the heart of his team’s midfield for the Manchester derby.
The Dutch manager once again opted for Scott McTominay as the deepest midfielder, a choice that backfired spectacularly.
The Scotland international was overwhelmed by City’s vastly superior midfield despite lacking the presence of Rodri.
Ten Hag was criticized after the thrashing for his reluctance to start the Brazilian or even make a substitution early in the game in an effort to reverse his team’s fortunes.
The United manager said of this and why he hasn’t started for the former Real Madrid player: “The day we signed him, we started winning and it’s about the team.”
“The team is doing very well, it’s not against Casemiro, it’s for, in this case, Scott McTominay, he performed very well in the team and then we went on a streak.
“But I’m sure it will be important for us in the short and long term, it will be found in the team, but it has to come naturally.”
After the Red Devils’ disastrous showing at the Etihad, it would be illogical for Ten Hag to start again with McTominay over the much more experienced, tried and tested Casemiro against Everton in United’s next Premier League game.
The 52-year-old has to choose whether the £60million man starts in the Europa League against Omonia Nicosia or keeps him for Sunday’s trip to Goodison Park.
The player certainly has it within himself to dislodge McTominay and cement his place in the starting eleven.
The 30-year-old played in both of Brazil’s international break friendlies against Ghana and Tunisia in France, where he showed his dominant side, something that was missing from yesterday’s dismal performance.
While it was common knowledge that Casemiro expelling McTominay was only a matter of time, it appears this may have come ahead of schedule.
