Erik ten Hag could follow Sir Alex Ferguson’s methods in deciding over Casemiro’s long-term future after Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.
United suffered another heavy defeat to their fierce rivals at Old Trafford, with Luis Diaz netting a first half brace and Mohamed Salah scoring after the break.
Casemiro was guilty of an error leading up to each of the opening two goals, misplacing a pass for the first before Diaz won the ball from him prior to the second.
The Brazilian was taken off at half-time by Ten Hag and replaced by young midfielder Toby Collyer, who was making his Premier League debut.
New signing Manuel Ugarte was ineligible to play against Liverpool, having not been registered prior to the Premier League’s deadline of Friday at 12pm to be able to feature.
When the Uruguayan is available, Casemiro’s days as an automatic starter could be over.
Ten Hag must now decide what his plans are for the 32-year-old, who has two years left on the four-year contract he signed in 2022.
He may decide to follow the lead of legendary United boss Ferguson – who previously stated that he had to be ruthless and allow players to leave the club once it was clear that they were past their prime.
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He said (via Manchester Evening News) “In terms of the regrets… the 1994 team I had, the back four all seemed to grow old together, and that’s a terrible thing to happen to the manager, because these guys were fantastic for me.
“[Paul] Parker, [Steve] Bruce, [Gary] Pallister, [Denis] Irwin – fantastic players.
“They gave me nine or 10 years, and the evidence is always on the football field. They don’t see it. I see it. The problem for me is, ‘What do I do about it?’
“I managed to organise a move for them, and they did well out of it. But telling them is very, very difficult.”
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