Man united coach “Erik ten Hag” explains decision to bench Casemiro and Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United’s clash against Southampton

Manchester United are unchanged from their win over Liverpool for Saturday’s meeting with Southampton, meaning there is no place for new signing Casemiro or Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting XI.

United ended a run of successive defeats to Brighton and Brentford as they beat rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford on Monday.

Ronaldo, who wants to leave the club this summer, was left on the substitutes bench for the meeting with Jurgen Klopp’s side, and the Portugal international finds himself in the same position for the clash against Southampton.

Meanwhile, new recruit from Real Madrid, Casemiro, will have to wait to make his debut as he has also been named as a substitute at St Mary’s

Speaking to BT Sport before kick-off at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag explained that the Brazil international needs time to adapt to his new team and the Premier League.

‘I think we have a squad that is quite competitive, so there are always difficult decisions,’ Ten Hag told BT Sport before kick-off.

📋 Presenting the United XI for today's lunchtime kick-off! 🍽#MUFC || #SOUMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 27, 2022

‘As you say, we had a really good performance on Monday, then you stick to it.

‘There is also to give Casemiro the time, he hasn’t played one game for 90 minutes, he has to adapt to England, he has to adapt to Man United and to give him the time to integrate in the team.’

When pressed on how difficult it is having to manage big players when they’re not playing, like Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Ronaldo, Ten Hag replied: ‘As a manager you have to take clear decisions.

‘The team is always most important and you make the decision what is in the advantage of the team. No matter who it is.

‘In your communication, you have to be clear and be honest.’

Reacting to Ten Hag’s decision to leave Casemiro on the bench, United legend Paul Scholes told BT Sport: ‘I am a little bit [surprised]. After the game on Monday night where they did so well, you half expected that he could play the same team.

‘But I think the experience of Casemiro would’ve been nice for this team, especially away from home.

‘This team have lost their last seven away games and to bring that experience, solidness and real character into the middle of the pitch, I thought he might have played today.’

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