Man Utd star who was ‘unbelievable player’ still has ‘place’ in Erik ten Hag’s squad, Nicky Butt finds it ‘difficult’ to criticise him

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Erik ten Hag has a Manchester United star who could still add invaluable “experience” to his Red Devils first-team squad at Old Trafford this season.

That is according to Manchester United legend Nicky Butt, who has admitted that he finds it “difficult” to “have a pop” at one player in Erik ten Hag’s squad.

United have had an underwhelming start to the new Premier League season under Ten Hag, who signed a new contract extension with the Red Devils this summer.

The Red Devils kicked off their Premier League campaign last month with a 1-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring the second-half winner.

However, United’s early momentum slipped in the Premier League after Brighton inflicted a 2-1 win over Ten Hag’s men at the Amex in August.

Ten Hag suffered a further headache on Sunday after Liverpool produced a dominating 3-0 win over United at Old Trafford ahead of the international break.

Luis Diaz fired Liverpool into a 2-0 lead before half-time with his brace before Mohamed Salah extended the Reds’ advantage in the second half.

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Butt on Man Utd star

Speaking on talkSPORT, former Manchester United star Nicky Butt dropped his verdict on Casemiro and the former Real Madrid star’s struggles at Old Trafford.

Casemiro was a shadow of his former Real Madrid self at United last season and the 32-year-old Brazilian midfielder has come under intense criticism again.

The Brazil international was at fault on both occasions in Luis Diaz’s brace and Casemiro managed only 45 minutes against Liverpool before he was taken off.

Casemiro, who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the past, has been Erik ten Hag’s preferred midfield partner for Kobbie Mainoo.

But the former Los Blancos star could see his place in the starting XI under threat after the arrival of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day.

“I find it difficult to have a pop at Casemiro for all [that] he’s done in his career, he’s a serial winner, he was an unbelievable player, he’s won everything he’s won but your eyes don’t lie,” Butt said.

“Towards the end, you lose your legs in midfield, turn and you can’t get up against the ball. It’s such a spotlight on you and I think that’s what’s happening with Casemiro.

“He’s still a good player, still got a place at Man United as a squad player coming on with a 1-0 lead and settling the game down with his experience.

“But when it comes to starting a game against the likes of Liverpool, City, Chelsea and Arsenal, he’s not going to be able to do it.”

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Bruno Fernandes on Man Utd star Casemiro

Speaking after the Liverpool match, United captain Bruno Fernandes refused to pin the blame on Casemiro after his disastrous performance at Old Trafford.

“Casemiro is more experienced than me. I don’t need to tell him anything, he knows what football is about,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.

“He’s played for the two best clubs in the world.

“Kobbie is an excellent kid. I want him to try more and do this because it’s part of his game. They are huge players for us and will keep being.”