Erik ten Hag defends £60 million man after increased scrutiny on his performances this season

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Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has certainly received some rather harsh criticism for his performances so far this season.

Whether it’s Gabby Agbonlahor, who said Casemiro played like a 45-year-old on talkSPORT, or whether it’s Jamie Carragher, who labelled the midfielder as a ‘panic buy’ in his column for The Telegraph, the former Real Madrid man has certainly been under increased scrutiny.

Erik ten Hag has also come under fire from certain sections of the media and even some United fans have been critical of the Dutchman’s decision to stick with the midfielder.

The former Ajax boss was asked about the midfielder’s performance following the defeat to Bayern Munich and was very keen to defend the Brazilian.

Ten Hag on Casemiro

Speaking to TNT Sports after the defeat in Munich, and, despite the manner of the defeat and how easy it was for the German side to break through the midfield, Ten Hag was keen to praise Casemiro.

“He’s the one. I’ve just mentioned, you have to stay in the game. You have to show leadership in those moments when the team has difficult moments, difficult occasions, and we have to survive,” the Dutchman said.

“All the players can be with him. He shows the example that all the players follow. That’s Casemiro. In the end, he scored two goals.”

Casemiro’s performances

The midfielder has put in some rather questionable performances this season but his mentality cannot be questioned.

The Brazilian scored the equalising goal against Nottingham Forest to drag his team back from the brink and was firmly on his way to doing the same thing in Munich.

The midfielder’s mentality sets him apart despite his poor run of form and, you wonder, with the help of Sofyan Amrabat, whether the midfielder could get back to his best.

Part of the reason why Casemiro played so well last season was due to the legs of Fred and the energy the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder offered.

The hope will be for him, and Ten Hag, that Amrabat could potentially be that person to help anchor the midfield alongside Casemiro.