Erik ten Hag has defended his decision to bench Casemiro for the Manchester derby and insisted that the Brazilian will have an "important role" to play for Manchester United this season.
Ten Hag quickly made efforts to try and bolster his midfield options after landing the top job at Old Trafford. And although the club's protracted pursuit of Frenkie de Jong failed to bear fruit, United managed to regroup and acquire Casemiro, one of Europe's most accomplished defensive midfielders, from Real Madrid in a deal that could eventually reach £70million.
Casemiro has won multiple Champions League titles and was a key figure in Carlo Ancelotti's team last term, but the Brazilian enforcer has been consigned to a watching brief in the Premier League since arriving at the club, with all four of his league appearances coming from the bench.
