Manchester United’s 2023–24 season is off to a rough start, and supporters are pointing fingers at the club’s manager, Erik Ten Hag, for the team’s poor performance and frequent losses. The Dutchman was already facing criticism from fans, and his recent choice regarding Casemiro has also sparked concerns among some of the players.
The 53-year-old is already on thin ice as Manchester United is looking at other options like Zinedine Zidane and Ruben Amorim to replace him, and his decision to not use Casemiro has now put him on the players’ bad side as well.
Casemiro ruled out of action
Casemiro is an important part of the Red Devils squad. He gave his all to score two goals in Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League Group Stage match against Bayern Munich and also played an important role in their second group stage match against Galatasaray.
The Brazilian unfortunately won’t be playing for a few weeks due to a hamstring injury he suffered in Manchester United’s recent match against Newcastle United. The Red Devils experienced a 3-0 home defeat and the loss of a key player. Fans will need to be patient until their beloved midfielder is fully recovered before he returns to the field.
United squad reportedly unhappy with Casemiro treatment
On October 7, Manchester United faced Brentford in a Premier League Round 8 match. The Red Devils encountered a tough situation when they allowed a goal during the first half. Mathais Jensen, a midfielder for Brentford, scored in the 26th minute, granting his team a one-goal lead that they maintained until the game’s closing moments. Scott McTominay emerged as the hero for his club, netting two goals in extra time and securing a 2-1 victory for his team.
Though the game went in Manchester United’s favor, Erik Ten Hag still received some criticism from his squad members due to his decision to substitute defensive midfielder Casemiro after halftime. The former Real Madrid player was replaced with Christian Eriksen in the 46th minute. When asked about this decision, Ten Hag said he wanted more football. “‘I wanted more football—one who brings passing, distribution, and link-up play. So I thought to bring [on] Christian Eriksen for the case,” he said.
Ten Hag’s decisions haven’t been well-received by the players. Opting for Jonny Evans over the French defender Raphael Varane in the Manchester derby was one such choice that raised concerns. It resulted in a 3-0 loss to their local rivals and garnered fan dissatisfaction.
If Erik Ten Hag aims to build better relations with the players, he should enhance his performance and make thoughtful decisions concerning senior players like Casemiro and Varane.
