Erik ten Hag says Casemiro’s poor form is down to injuries, backs him to play major role in hunt for the FA Cup – Man United News And Transfer News

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From arguably being the Manchester United player of the year last season, Casemiro’s stock has fallen massively in his sophomore campaign in England.

Unlike last season where the Brazilian sat deep while shielding the back four and spraying passes, he has been asked to play further forward in Erik ten Hag’s flawed high-transition style.

The front five all move up which usually leaves a lot of gap for the former Real Madrid superstar to cover and so far, he has failed to do so.

The five-time Champions League winner has struggled to track runners, with the Red Devils conceding quite a few goals from cutbacks inside the box.

The 32-year-old has also developed a bad habit of gambling when defending this high, often sliding into challenges close to the centre of the pitch which renders him completely unavailable with the opposition counter-attacking at pace.

Casemiro’s disastrous second season at United

His performances have attracted a lot of criticism from pundits who have commented that the player does not look like he can handle the pace of the English game anymore.

Casemiro looks slow and laboured out of possession, and there have been lots of rumours linking the £70 million with an exit at the conclusion of the current campaign.

INEOS are reportedly looking at ways to trim the wage bill and with the Brazil international among the highest earners at the club, his position looks in jeopardy.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already made his feelings clear on the defensive midfielder and Saudi Arabian clubs and even Juventus are ready to pounce.

But Ten Hag made it clear that he fully supports his midfield maestro and believes the player’s shortcomings this season has largely been due to the injuries he has suffered.

Casemiro has missed 17 games due to injury this season and the club’s medical team have not exactly covered themselves in glory.

Ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City, the former Ajax coach reiterated that Casemiro is a winner and he has a huge role to play if the 20-time English league champions are to add to their trophy cabinet this season.

EtH backs Casemiro

“We needed a six when I arrived here and last season he was fantastic. I don’t think he had ever scored so many goals but as a holding midfielder, he was so important to the team,” Ten Hag was quoted as saying during the pre-match press conference.

“This season he has struggled with a bad injury that he never had in his career but he is such a winner – all his career, he has always won. Everywhere he was, there was success.

“And I trust he will also bring us success. I know he needs games and he will be better. I am very confident about him, he is a fighter, that is why he has won big trophies. He is a personality and is a very important player.”

United are hoping to reach back-to-back Cup finals and possibly add another trophy in their cabinet after last season’s Carabao Cup success against Newcastle United.

Casemiro had played a huge role in that triumph and hopefully, as he regains more fitness and rhythm, he can play a pivotal role against Coventry on Sunday and subsequently in the final as well.

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