The Manchester Unitted manager has done almost exactly as Red Devils legend Roy Keane instructed when it comes to the personnel in the middle of the park this season
Erik ten Hag appears to have followed Roy Keane’s advice after the Manchester United legend took aim at Scott McTominay and Fred in the early stages of the Dutchman’s reign.
Following a dismal 2-1 home defeat by Brighton on the opening day of the season in what was Ten Hag’s first game in charge, Keane was brutal in his assessment of United’s then-midfield duo. The Irishman was hardly a fan of the pair during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick’s respective reigns but had fully lost patience by the time Ten Hag was at the helm.
“The two in the middle of the park, all over the place,” Keane told Sky Sports. “Out of possession Man United are as poor as any team in the Premier League.”
As brutal as his review was, it would appear that Ten Hag at least slightly agrees, given he made two midfield additions during his first summer in charge that have gone on to drastically improve the level at Old Trafford.
The two additions in question are of course Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. The former came at quite the price, £60million to be exact, while the latter cost nothing given United nabbed him while he was out of contract.
Their respective arrivals have meant the amount of minutes McTominay and Fred have received has reduced.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have raised the level of Man United’s midfield this season
Scotland international McTominay has completed the full 90 minutes in the league on just five occasions, while Fred has only managed one better.
There may be further opportunities given the injury Eriksen picked up in January is likely to keep him out for at least another month, but Casemiro’s supreme quality has left Fred and McTominay fighting for the one midfield role next to the Brazilian for the time being.
The former Real Madrid has been nothing short of sensational for the majority of the season and has even been likened to Keane himself by another United icon.
Speaking to Unied’s in-house media, Paul Scholes claimed: “Casemiro has been sensational really, he has great experience, winning so many times with Real Madrid as well, and is invaluable to the younger players around the squad.
“It’s almost like he’s a coach on the football pitch. You’ve seen the difference from when he’s come into the team and what he’s made [happen].
“He’s a proper Manchester United midfielder that gets involved in everything. You see him up the pitch, you see him defending, you see him controlling the game at times. He’s probably as close to Roy Keane as you’re going to get. I think he’s been brilliant.”
