Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag willing to take injury risk with Manchester United midfielder Casemiro
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that Casemiro is at risk of an injury but is willing to take the chance due to his importance in the team.
The Brazil international has been ever-present in the Red Devils’ starting lineup in the last few months. Since his first start in the Premier League against Everton, the midfielder has not looked back.
Speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News ahead of the match against Crystal Palace, Ten Hag realises that there is a chance the 30-year-old could pick up a knock. However, the Dutch manager is willing to rely on his star players.
“He’s important but in top football there’s a risk and we know that. We know players get injured and you can’t avoid it.”
Casemiro signed for United in the summer of 2022 from Real Madrid. The Brazil international took a bit of time to settle in at the Old Trafford side.
Scott McTominay had initially impressed many and was in fine form. At the start of the campaign, the gaffer chose the Scotland international over the five-time UCL winner in his team.
However, the 30-year-old has quickly made a mark in Manchester. Before his suspension against Arsenal in our last league match, the midfielder had started in 12 consecutive English top-flight games.
Casemiro has also played a key part in our Carabao Cup run to the final. In the current campaign, the 30-year-old has made 29 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and providing five assists.
The Brazil international is one of Ten Hag’s most used players behind Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen. However, the Denmark international will now miss most of the campaign due to an injury.
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While fitness issues cannot be foreseen, they can be managed. Therefore, it would be prudent of the gaffer to rest someone like Casemiro from time to time in games where the opposition is not as strong.
