Manchester United: Erik ten Hag still ‘needs’ Casemiro despite ‘bad day’

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag says he is still relying on Casemiro despite the midfielder’s “bad day at the office” against Liverpool.

The 32-year-old Brazil international was hauled off at half-time after mistakes led to two goals in the Reds’ 3-0 win before the international break.

He will now face competition for a starting spot with £41m signing from Paris St-Germain Manuel Ugarte.

“[I] definitely need him, for sure,” said Ten Hag about former Real Madrid star Casemiro.

“Of course I speak with him about the situation, but everyone can have a bad at the office, or do you never have a bad day at the office?

“He is experienced and it’s not the first time, I guess, he has dealt with a bad game and now he has to overcome this one as well.

“But that is normal in life. You have highs and you have lows.”

Uruguay international Ugarte is eligible to make his United debut against Southampton on Saturday.

“Such players, in our club especially, you know when you are playing on this level that there is always competition,” said Ten Hag.

“Because they also know in this club you can only be successful when you have a squad where you have to cover five leagues.

“You can’t have a squad where in positions we have only one player who can cover this, so you need at least two players in every position who can cover this.”