Manchester United's record with Scott McTominay in the team is part of the reason why the academy graduate continues to start ahead of £60million signing Casemiro.
United signed the Brazil international on August 22 but so far he's started just one game, the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford to Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
He's had to settle for four substitute appearances in the Premier League and Ten Hag again opted for McTominay in the holding role in the Manchester derby at the Etihad on Sunday.
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United's 6-3 defeat in that game has added scrutiny to that decision, but Ten Hag believes McTominay has earned his status in that role and pointed to the team's record with the Scot in the side.
He came on for the second half at Brentford with United already 4-0 down and started five of the following six games, all of which were won. The only game he missed was the defeat to Sociedad, which Casemiro played.
There had been an expectation that Casemiro would be back in the side to face Omonia Nicosia on Thursday, with the chance to usurp McTominay in the Premier League, with United in action against Everton on Sunday night.
But Ten Hag insists he will play his "best team" in Cyprus and again praised McTominay's recent performance levels.
"I don’t make a difference between Europa League and Premier League, we have to win all games and cups. So we will play tomorrow our best team," he said.
"We have to construct a team, because also we want a competitive culture in our team and this club, I said before it had nothing to do with Casemiro, and all to do with Scott.
"When you sum it up: Brentford he wasn’t in the team we lose, on the day Casemiro signed we win [against Liverpool], we played six games, we won five and in five games Scott played, in one he didn’t against Sociedad. For me it’s logical, it’s competition in the team.
"For me is was not a choice. He improved really well, he developed really well. Nothing to do with Casemiro."
Casemiro has yet to make a really strong impression in any of his United performance, despite his stellar record for Real Madrid, but Ten Hag is convinced he will come good and have a big part to play at Old Trafford.
"I’m sure Casa will play a really important role, we know all his background, all the titles he won, you see every day in training he can contribute in the team and he will be a really important player in this team, I am convinced this will happen," he said.
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