Manchester United midfielder Casemiro was the surprise half-time substitution during the 2-1 victory over Brentford when the score at the interval was 1-0 to the Bees.
It was Casemiro’s poor giveaway in the centre of the park that allowed Brentford to break which eventually led to Mathias Jensen’s scuffed finish, which Andre Onana should have done better with.
That familiar sinking feeling was abound at Old Trafford but Scott McTominay’s late heroics for Manchester United flipped the game on its head in dramatic fashion.
However, the half-time substitution of one of Erik ten Hag’s trusted lieutenants in the former Real Madrid man is a big decision and the Dutchman has given his reasons behind it.
Ten Hag on Casemiro
Speaking after the frantic victory over Thomas Frank’s side, Ten Hag was asked about why the 31-year-old, who cost United £70 million in the summer of 2022, was substituted at half-time.
“I wanted more football,” Ten Hag told journalists after the victory. This has unsurprisingly caused a stir on social media but the Dutchman is not wrong.
It’s no secret that Casemiro, despite being the club’s top goalscorer this season, has not reached the levels he achieved last season, far from it.
Ten Hag replacing the midfielder will hopefully be the kick up the backside that the Brazilian desperately needs.
What does the future hold for Casemiro
The surprising element of this is that a midfield without Casemiro performed better. Sofyan Amrabat, who finally made his first start in midfield, was superb and dictated the tempo and was, once again, everywhere.
The Moroccan completed 97 per cent of his passes and some of these were very beneficial to starting attacks for the Red Devils.
The midfielder may well have to accept a reduced role in the first team if his performances stay the same and the former Madrid man surely can’t have too many arguments against this decision.