This Monday (6), the Manchester United visit the Crystal Palaceat 4pm (Brasília time), for the closing of the 36th round of the Premier League. The match has live broadcast on ESPN on Star+.
Before the match, the coach of the Red Devils, Erik ten Haggave an exclusive interview to ESPN and analyzed the performance of the two Brazilians in his squad: the midfielder Casemiro and the attacking midfielder Antony.
Both arrived at Old Trafford surrounded by expectations, even for the amounts paid: Casemiro cost 70 million poundswhile Antony was even more expensive, costing almost 87 million pounds.
Since arriving, they have had some moments of brilliance, but they are far from remembering the same athletes who stood out with the jerseys. Real Madrid It is Ajax.
Asked about the midfielder’s drop in performance compared to last season, when he was the hero of winning the League Cup and one of the main highlights of the squad, Ten Hag explained the reasons.
According to the Dutchman, the serious injury suffered by the veteran in November last yearwhich took him out of action for a long period, was extremely damaging for Casemiro.
“He arrived last season and had a big impact on our game. He had a great season. This season, he missed two and a half months, the team hasn’t performed so well, especially our defensive line, which makes it difficult for a steering wheel like him”, analyzed the commander.
“This made Casemiro’s season more difficult. But you see that he is a leader, he is always there giving confidence to the team, asking for the ball, risking passes, so he remains important,” he added.
Antony, in turn, was far from the expectations created when he arrived from Holland with a “weight of gold”. Contributing little with goals and assists, he went through long fasts and even found himself off the bench on some occasions.
According to Ten Hag, however, the Brazilian has been improving in recent weeks, having managed to contribute with some balls in the net and passes for his teammates to score.
“Lately he has been progressing. He scored on Saturday (against Burnley, in the 35th round), gave two assists against Chelsea… The first part of the season was not at the level he can play at, but he has improved in the last few months”, argued.
“You can see the potential, the player he can be. It just depends on him. He has to work hard in training, outside the club too, in the gym, to reach the best version of him”, he added.
For this Monday’s duel, against Crystal Palace, Casemiro and Antony are available for the match. There is a chance that both will start at Selhurst Park.
The difficulty of “post-Ferguson”
After a good debut season, Ten Hag is experiencing a disappointing second year at Manchester United, with a huge chance of being left out of the next season. Champions League – the only positive point of 2023/24 is reaching the final of FA Cup.
Precisely for this reason, the Dutchman has seen his name placed on the “tightrope” several times in recent months. Speculation abounds about possible coaches to take over next season, with the German Thomas Tuchel occupying the first position in the “queue”.
Asked about the great difficulties of training a “sleeping giant”, Ten Hag sent an “indirect” message to the board and highlighted that the coaches who led the “Red Devils” did not have their hiring requests answered by the club’s top management.
“I think that, with the exception of (José) Mourinho, the coaches didn’t have the players they wanted. If you manage Manchester United, you need incredible players”, he highlighted.
“And you also need to be patient with the process. We have 24 players with great potential and we need to develop them individually and as a team. I am confident that we will achieve our goals,” he added.
“But Premier League It’s a tough competition. It’s not a two-horse race, there are seven or eight contenders for the title, with a great squad. If you want to fight for the title, you have to build a strong squad”, he added.
Where to watch Crystal Palace x Manchester United, on Premier League?
Crystal Palace x Manchester Unitedthis Monday (6), at 4pm (Brasília time), on Premier Leaguehe has broadcast by ESPN on Star+.
