Ten Hag: “He is such a great player”

It certainly looks like Manchester United will grab a Champions League ticket this season. The Red Devils were 0-1 too strong for AFC Bournemouth last weekend and the winning goal was already scored in the ninth minute by midfielder Casemiro. The inspector is playing a great season, says coach Erik ten Hag.

Erik ten Hag thinks Casemiro is a ‘great player’

“He continues to surprise us,” says de Tukker in his press talk after the Premier League game. “He is such a great player. We were looking for a midfield strategist. It’s not easy to find someone who has that profile and matches the level of Manchester United. We are very happy that we came to him.”

When the former Ajax manager is asked whether Casemiro has lived up to expectations so far, he is clear: “Absolutely, he even exceeds expectations. We know him as someone who sets out the lines, positions himself and anticipates. He intercepts a lot of balls, wins his duels, fights, keeps the team together. But he is also important in possession of the ball with his passing and dividing the game. And he can even finish.”

Champions League ticket

Ten Hag appeared in front of the camera of the BBC before Liverpool’s duel with Aston Villa was over: “I don’t care what happens in Liverpool. It’s about ourselves, we have to do our job.” United are three points ahead of their rivals with one game less played. On Thursday, The Red Devils will play against Chelsea and the CL ticket can be definitively dragged in.