Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his bewilderedness by Erik ten Hag’s handling of the club’s £70 million Casemiro so far. The midfielder was signed on the deadline day from Real Madrid for a fee that could reportedly rise to £70 million. While some were excited by his arrival, the move however raised eyebrows of many as well who failed to understand why United spent a whopping £70 million on a 30-year-old.
Casemiro’s pedigree wasn’t a doubt there, with the midfielder having five Champions League winners medals in his cabinet. But many have felt that he was not the signing the manager asked for, with Ten Hag wanting his former player Frenkie de Jong. And United’s failure to entice the Barcelona midfielder reportedly was the reason they went for the Real Madrid man.
Ferdinand accused Ten Hag of underusing Casemiro
Casemiro may have stated he was very happy to join the Red Devils after making the move, so far the case has been a bit opposite. The midfielder has been warming the bench for United, with his Brazilian national teammate Fred being picked over him by Ten Hag. The 30-year-old has enjoyed only 82 minutes of Premier League football, out of possible 360 available. And his only start has come in the Europa League against Real Sociedad, where his side lost at home.
Ferdinand has had a go at Erik ten Hag over his reluctance to play Casemiro more often despite the midfielder being fully fit. The former United captain feels the gaffer is not ready to trust his signing and is thus disrespecting a player who has won it all in his career. Talking on his YouTube channel FIVE, Ferdinand said:
“The geezer (Casemiro) hasn’t been given a chance. He hasn’t been given a fair crack of the whip. He’s come in and played in a Europa League game against some dead team.
“He hasn’t been given a start in the side when he’s fit and ready, he’s regressed in terms of fitness, so he’s worse off than when he came. He must be sitting there and thinking; ‘Wow, I’m happy to be here at Manchester United, but I’m feeling a little bit disrespected here, given what I’ve done’. I’d be surprised if he’s not feeling like that.”
Casemiro is frequently being looked upon for the likes of Fred as well as Scott McTominay who has come under immense criticism for his constant poor displays. The former Real midfielder started the Manchester Derby on the bench too, coming-on in the 60th minute when City had already put the game to bed by taking a 6-1 lead.
United now resume their Europa League campaign as they face another low-key side Omonia Nicosia this mid-week. Casemiro has high chances of starting the game as Ten Hag will ring in heavy changes from their derby drubbing. However, the midfielder will certainly bear the question in his mind that these weren’t the games he signed with United for. Same has been the case for his teammate Cristiano Ronaldo who will once again be looking for a new club in January according to the latest reports.
