“Sacking Erik ten Hag won’t solve the problem but if he start benching THREE of them to create space for the young talents, everything will miraculously turn around… That’s the trick I used during my time”: Sir Alex Ferguson advice Erik ten Hag with the trick he used during his time

Erik ten Hag might consider adopting Sir Alex Ferguson’s strategic approach when determining Casemiro’s future at Manchester United, especially after the team’s disheartening 3-0 loss to Liverpool.

In a bitterly contested match at Old Trafford, United once again suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals. Luis Diaz delivered a double blow with two first-half goals, and Mohamed Salah added to United’s woes with a third goal in the second half.

Casemiro’s performance was a key talking point, as he was directly involved in the buildup to both of Liverpool’s opening goals. First, he misplaced a pass that led to Diaz’s first strike, and then he was dispossessed by Diaz before the second goal. These errors led Ten Hag to substitute Casemiro at halftime, bringing on young midfielder Toby Collyer, who made his Premier League debut in the match.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, Manuel Ugarte, United’s new signing, was unavailable for selection against Liverpool due to not being registered in time for the Premier League’s cutoff. Once Ugarte becomes eligible, it could signal the end of Casemiro’s role as a regular starter in the squad.

With Casemiro’s current contract set to expire in two years, Ten Hag faces a critical decision regarding the veteran midfielder’s future. The Dutch manager might look to the example set by Sir Alex Ferguson, who was known for making tough choices about veteran players nearing the end of their prime.

Ferguson once reflected on the difficulty of managing an aging squad, particularly his famous 1994 team, where the defense aged simultaneously. He mentioned that while the players themselves might not notice their decline, it became apparent on the pitch. Ferguson explained that as a manager, he had to make hard decisions for the sake of the team’s future, even though it was incredibly challenging to inform those players of his decision.

Ten Hag now faces a similar dilemma with Casemiro, as he contemplates whether to continue relying on the experienced midfielder or begin transitioning to a new generation of players. The outcome of this decision could significantly impact the team’s trajectory in the coming seasons.