Former Tottenham Hotspur and Netherlands midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart believes Erik ten Hag's decision not to include Casemiro in his starting line-up for Manchester United's 6-3 derby day defeat to Manchester City on Sunday was "very stupid."
Casemiro signed for an initial £60million fee from Spanish giants Real Madrid in August, but is still waiting for his first Premier League start and was named on the bench for the fourth game running at the Etihad Stadium. Ten Hag opted to continue with Scott McTominay in the defensive midfield position, such is the form that the Scot has been in recently.
Despite McTominay's encouraging performances in recent weeks, there was a feeling that Casemiro would be awarded his first league start for United for the short trip across town, given City's quality in midfield and attack. However, Ten Hag chose to stick with McTominay, deploying him in midfield alongside Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.
United, particularly in the first half, were overrun by City, and constantly caught short in midfield. It only made the argument for Casemiro to have started grow stronger.
And for former Netherlands international Van der Vaart, Ten Hag's decision to leave out Casemiro was a mistake, insisting it resulted in him causing United a problem that could have been avoided.
"Ten Hag should have started playing Casemiro straight away," said Van der Vaart. "McTominay starts performing and Man United start winning and then of course he can't put McTominay out of the team anymore.
"I find this very stupid from him because you are creating your own problem."
Casemiro has started just once since arriving at United — the 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad in the Europa League last month. He could be in line for a return to the starting line-up when United face Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus on Thursday night, also in the Europa League.
deddklmn
1
Truly, Casemiro is a world class but he’s yet to adapt. What changes the game during second half was because he would have build confidence on them by encouraging them to use the ball and do away with fear. It was immediately they started second half, that was when there was a change of game.
kipbnpruz
0
the midfield caused all those goals, it was very weak, mancity the key is to hold them from the midfield, just stoping them from driving many balls into the box makes u beat them.thats why tuchel s chealsea caused quadiola head ache..its the 343 formation which works for city
deddklmn
1
experience midfielder who have won champions leagues several times know how to handle big matches and was bench ,I believe ten hag don't know the kind of league he is playing now.playing average player like Scott and your conceding goals now you spend 60m for experience midfielder bench him then loss.
Nothing bad using Mc Tominay given his performance recently in the previous games before derby. Moreover, this is a player that do give it all against this rival. You can check on previous matches against City. The mistake I feel he made was selecting a team to possess during first half. He could have bench Erickson and start Casemiro Mctominay and Bruno in that Midfield during first half since you don’t believe in Casemiro for now. Just ask, Mctominay to sit deep at the front of the back four. Up front, Rasford, Anthony, and Martial. You can now proceed to your possessive way of play during second half. Nonetheless, those players didn’t believe in themselves during first half, they couldn’t use ball rather they keep losing possession to those that will punish them for their mistakes. Pep once said, he understands Erik’s game and looking at Pep’s line up before the match, I understand what he wanted to do. Erik will continue to learn, this is EPL.
zuebeortu
0
4 5 1
epjo
1
after the introduction of CASEMILO and MARTIAL the team started to play and score the three goals TEN HAG wake up
loyabcelpr
0
experience midfielder who have won champions leagues several times know how to handle big matches and was bench ,I believe ten hag don't know the kind of league he is playing now.playing average player like Scott and your conceding goals now you spend 60m for experience midfielder bench him then loss.
ducdenptuz
2
playing Bruno and Erikson at the same time, it doesn't make sense to me.
waddiortuy
0
Live him alone we believe in him
Yea but we all know Ericsson is not physically enough to track haaland and if u gonna bench casemero then use lindelof at center back and play Martinez with with scott so you we get more tackles from midfield.. and you don’t need rocket science to know that yk
jezabdnpyz
0
I understand Ronaldo being benched if it was for pressing, although he is still the best striker at man u, but leaving casemiro out was total madness. Ten hag will be sacked before the end of season. Very average coach
Another "Genius" That Said Once Everything Is Settled. [Crylaugh] All This "Should Have Been" Kinda Nonsense. [Crylaugh]
peobdlmnou
1
where's our greenwood? lord!
peobdlmnou
3
Someone should pls tell ten hag to play casemiro eriksen and bruno midfield.
Neyeimosz
0
I believe ten hag but they missed something player who played cr7 and casemiro , yes is still powerful and now any game you put cr7 on bench why even casemiro why is a same player and same teamte yes see let them all player play please ten hag yes
ao0654
2
He is totally mental patient. who left him from mental hospital? 😂😂😂😂😂😂
kali0086
0
when man united win more praise on ten hag from fans and when united lose more critics let's live like people city dorminated the game fully that was not our game.
kali0086
0
when man united win more praise on ten hag from fans and pundits and when united lose more critics let's live like people city dorminated the game fully.
Nizcorsu
4
elick ten is innocent leave him alone man city is on other level this time
malone95
3
So what if started with Casemiro and CR7 and Martial would it make a real difference?But the rest of the players were not playing well either!
Jisalors
1
ist true
Wimcnstu
1
4-4-2 with experienced players
AlameenMalami
0
Football managers at Scot Parkes house asking him how he stopped Haaland
Setemsu
6
Doesn’t matter who’s starting or what formation they would lose anyway. Man City is far superior than Man U
Jisalors
1
that sheet
Energy23
0
but wait are this people paying AF to always post when they criticize because I don't understand again if anybody cough about united Defeat to city you will post almost same write up why??? pls bring something meaningful
kidainrsuz
4
If Ten hag had started Casemiro and they were been beaten by city, people would have still been saying that why did he not start with Mc tominay because he has been in good form recently Confused football fans and pundit
Energy23
1
I understand Ronaldo being benched if it was for pressing, although he is still the best striker at man u, but leaving casemiro out was total madness. Ten hag will be sacked before the end of season. Very average coach
lol go and sack him yourself if they did not do
siwbdkmoyz
6
I understand Ronaldo being benched if it was for pressing, although he is still the best striker at man u, but leaving casemiro out was total madness. Ten hag will be sacked before the end of season. Very average coach
KELVINYOUNG12
3
Live him alone we believe in him