Erik ten Hag has confidence that teaming up with Casemiro will assist Kobbie Mainoo, the midfielder for Manchester United, in reaching his maximum capabilities. The upcoming match against Aston Villa on Sunday will mark the fourth occasion that the two have played together since Casemiro’s comeback from injury during the game against Newport.
The pairing of the duo at United has resulted in a perfect winning record, adding stability to their midfield. However, it took some time for this combination to come together at Old Trafford. Mainoo was sidelined for the first three months due to an ankle injury, and Casemiro was also absent upon his return due to a hamstring issue. As a result, they were only able to team up for the first time in late January.
Ten Hag expressed joy at Casemiro’s return and believes that Kobbie can learn a great deal from him. Kobbie is highly receptive to coaching, and Casemiro’s wealth of experience will greatly aid in his development. Ten Hag is pleased to have both players on the team and believes that their partnership will be mutually beneficial.
When questioned about their connection, Ten Hag affirmed, “Without a doubt, Casemiro assumes that responsibility and actively communicates with Kobbie. I have observed this in the locker room, during matches, and on the field during training sessions. He focuses on his own performance but also makes an effort to assist and uplift Kobbie.”
Casemiro is among several important players who have recently recovered from injuries. However, Lisandro Martínez sustained a knee injury during the West Ham match and will be sidelined for two months.
Ten Hag stated that there were key players, such as Casemiro, [Lisandro] Martínez, and Luke Shaw, who were absent for a significant amount of time. He also noted that when these players were present, they made a noticeable difference, as seen with Casemiro’s ability to provide a sense of ease and control on the field, as well as additional options for the team.
United is eager to make a comeback in the Champions League, but they are currently eight points behind their opponents Villa. Villa is currently in fourth place, making it crucial for United to secure a win in order to close the gap. If United succeeds, it will be the second time this season that they have won three consecutive Premier League matches.
In January, Ten Hag acknowledged that the club was unable to make signings due to financial fair play limitations. Failing to qualify for Europe’s top competition would negatively impact their potential transfers in the summer.
Ten Hag emphasized the significance of participating in the Champions League and stated that it is not up for debate. He admitted uncertainty regarding the consequences of not qualifying, but acknowledged the benefits of earning financial resources through the competition as their ultimate goal.
Source: theguardian.com
