'Can't even do the basics right' - Ten Hag to axe €70m Man Utd star
Tom Weber
- Updated: 24 Oct 2023 14:36 BST
- 4 min read
Erik ten Hag has been tipped to drop Casemiro for the Manchester derby as he "hasn't even been doing the basics right" recently.
Signed for €70 million last summer to add steel and quality to Man Utd's midfield, Casemiro did exactly that, though many felt that the Red Devils nevertheless overpaid given the veteran's being on the wrong side of 30. Casemiro played a vital role in Ten Hag's side qualifying for the Champions League, but this season it has been a different story.
While surprisingly effective going forward this term, the Brazilian is now looking as though age is rapidly catching up with him. He is struggling to show the same kind of defensive awareness and ability to stop the opposition from getting into dangerous positions that previously made him such a key asset to Ten Hag.
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The Dutchman has noticed this too, hooking Casemiro at half time against Brentford prior to the international break, a match that needed a late, late Scott McTominay brace to see Man Utd triumph. With a crucial derby against Man City coming up, journalist Steve Bates believes that Ten Hag will drop the ex-Real Madrid star.
Littered with mistakes
Writing in his GIVEMESPORT column, Bates outlines that, while it would be a brave call to axe the decorated Brazilian, it is something that Ten Hag must seriously consider.
"This season has highlighted the need for younger, quicker legs around him [Casemiro] with alarming stats showing that he’s an easy player for opponents to run past. Lately, though, Casemiro hasn’t even been doing the basics right and his game has been littered with mistakes in and out of possession."
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"Dropping a fit Casemiro for the Manchester derby against Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners next Sunday would be a bold and brave move," Bates continued. "But the former Ajax coach has shown already in his time at Old Trafford that reputations count for nothing and all that matters is the overall functionality and efficiency of the team as a collective."
