Erik ten Hag ‘p****d off’ Man Utd star with misjudged comment over his performance
The comment was perhaps lost in translation.
Erik ten Hag ‘p****d off’ Manchester United star Casemiro after a slip of the tongue while explaining his reasons for dropping the midfielder.
Casemiro enjoyed a superb first season in Manchester in the 2022-23 campaign, helping the club win the Carabao Cup following a £70million move from Real Madrid.
His performances dipped during his second season at the club, however, replaced at half-time in three matches during the course of the campaign, also missing out on a place in the side against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Ten Hag kept his job this summer after that Wembley victory but problems have remained with United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
The Dutchman has faced challenges over his communication skills when things have got turbulent at the club, described as ‘blunt and direct’ by a source close to the club, ESPN report.
His use of English also caused a misunderstanding with Casemiro last season, invertedly angering the Brazilian
‘He’s fundamentally an honest guy, but he had to be told last season to soften his approach with the players,’ a source told ESPN.
‘He was too critical too often, but sometimes it was down to his use of English.
‘He speaks the language, but he doesn’t have a great grasp of it or the nuances. For instance, he p****d off Casemiro last season for saying he was dropped for “football reasons.”
‘Erik meant “tactical” reasons, but he ended up angering a multiple Champions League winner by suggesting he was criticising him as a footballer.’
Casemiro started United’s first two games of the season but was again replaced at the break against Liverpool in September, replaced by youngster Toby Collyer after a disastrous first-half performance.
He has not starting in the league since with club also bringing in Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte.
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