English Premier League giants Manchester United hired Dutch manager Erik ten hag at the start of this season to stabilize their ship.
Erik ten Hag appeared at Old Trafford with much success since the Ajax days. However, the situation at Old Trafford was much more challenging for the Dutch manager.
So early on, ten Hag made some tough decisions. He chose the players who can suit his style of play. He demanded signings from the Manchester United board to straighten out the team.
The United board responded with Antony and Lisandro Martínez from Ajax, Christian Eriksen from Brentford and Tyrell Malacia from PSV. However, they failed to secure a priority from Erik ten Hag on Frenkie de Jong. Meanwhile, United’s effort to sign Adrien Rabiot was also in vain.
Casemiro, the New Warrior at Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United
Just when it looked like United couldn’t sign any more midfielders, they suddenly bought Brazilian international Casemiro from Real Madrid.
When Casemiro arrived there were doubts about this transfer. Many fans and critics couldn’t figure out how he would fit into Erik ten Hag’s system. It was thought to be another one of those panic moves United have made over the last decade.
In the first games, Casemiro had a hard time getting into the first team. United were also struggling to dominate the midfield against most of their opponents. However, since the Omonia match, everything changed for the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag played and made Casemiro a starter. The Brazilian showed his ability to recover balls and shielded the defense with everything. The warrior mentality that he has shown in every Champions League win with Real Madrid was present in United’s midfield.
His ability to appear at the right time to score important strikes and goals has also come in handy for Erik ten hag. As a result, United have not tasted a single defeat in their last eight games. They look like a stronger unit than ever.
And it is this single change that has given them the basis on which to work. Another thing that Casemiro brought to United is his leadership. In recent years, there were no leaders in United’s midfield. There was no one who could take the step on a day when the team is not playing at its best level. Overall, this new partnership brewing at United has brought smiles to the Red Devils.
However, the Brazilian believes it is a team effort that changed the entire Old Trafford scene. He also highly praised Erik ten hag before his match against Real Sociedad.
“He has many virtues, we all know it’s a process and we grow together, but his obsession with teaching us and leaving everything perfect to the millimeter, his obsession with winning is something I’ve seen in few coaches”, said Casemiro. .
He concluded: “The key is the team, the coach, everyone, the most important thing is that we are growing, we are becoming a very solid team”.
