“I find this very stupid from him because you are creating your own problem” – Rafael van der Vaart blasts Erik ten Hag for making this silly decision on five-times UCL winner
Rafael van der Vaart has criticised Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for his decision to start Scott McTominay in place of Casemiro against Manchester City on Sunday (2 October).The Red Devils were 4-0 down at half-time at the Etihad Stadium against their arch-rivals after a disastrous first 45 minutes. Manchester United could not cope with the likes of Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, and Ten Hag’s team were completely outplayed.
McTominay had a poor performance, he was completely overrun in midfield and made a number of poor passes that put his team in trouble. The midfielder was replaced on the hour mark by Casemiro, and many wondered why the Brazilian international did not start such an important game.
Casemiro arrived at Old Trafford this summer for a significant fee after winning five Champions Leagues at Real Madrid. Although McTominay has been an important part of the team that has won four straight with the Red Devils, many feel the Brazilian international should be starting.
Former Real Madrid and Tottenham player Van der Vaart believes Ten Hag has made the wrong decision and made it known on NOS. The commentator said:
“Ten Hag should have started playing Casemiro right away. McTominay starts performing and Man United start winning and then of course you can’t put McTominay out of the team, I think it’s very stupid of him because you create your own problem.”
Erik ten Hag reveals why Casemiro hasn’t started for Manchester United
Calls for the legendary defensive midfielder to leave are growing after United’s poor showing against the Premier League champions. After the heavy defeat at the Etihad Stadium, Ten Hag was asked why Casemiro has yet to start a league game in England. The Dutch coach told a press conference (according to the Manchester Evening News):
“The day we signed him we started winning and it’s all about the team. The team is doing very well, it’s not about Casemiro, it’s about, in this case, Scott McTominay, who has performed very well in the team and then we went on a run. “
“But I’m sure he will be important for us in the long term and in the short term, he will be in the team but it has to come naturally.”
Casemiro has started just one game for Manchester United so far this season, in the Europa League defeat to Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.
