Man Utd star tipped to start banging down Erik ten Hag’s door if he continues sitting on bench

High-profile Manchester United summer signing Casemiro has been backed to confront Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag if he continues to start games on the substitutes bench.

The Brazilian arrived in a deal that could reach £70million with add-ons over the summer after Ten Hag missed out on landing his top target Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona.

Ten Hag ended up growing frustrated in his bid to sign the Netherlands star and was forced to look elsewhere.

That search led to the big-money arrival of the 30-year-old from Real Madrid. However, the experienced defensive midfielder has so far struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford.

Indeed, Casemiro has failed to start a game so far this season, with Scott McTominay preferred.

The Scotland international has played an integral part in United’s four-match winning run. That is despite the fact he was expected to make way for the club’s new arrival.

And former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes McTominay deserves plenty of credit for his performances.

“In the last few games [McTominay has] kept Casemiro out of the team,” Murphy told talkSPORT.

“I know it’s a winning run so he’s keeping the team the same, but I think he’s been outstanding. His desire to get back into defensive positions and help his defence, the amount of crosses he heads out, the amount of blocks he makes and the amount of runners he tracks, talk about doing a job for the team.

“Talk about putting a shift in. If anyone wants to think negatively about him, go and watch United’s last three games and watch him.”

Casemiro pushing for United starts

United are next in action against Real Sociedad in their opening Europa League group game on Thursday night.

Both Casemiro and fellow bench-warmer Cristiano Ronaldo are both expected to start that game. The duo are in need of minutes after only making cameo appearances in recent weeks.

But former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor believes it’s only a matter of time before the former gives Ten Hag a piece of his mind, if he isn’t playing regularly.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “I feel like Casemiro, give it one more game and he’ll be thinking ‘Hang on a minute, what’s going on here? You signed me for £60million, get me in the team. I don’t care if McTominay’s doing well, you’re not signing me to sit on the bench’,”

“It just shows that when a big player comes in sometimes other players step their game up.

“I feel McTominay has definitely stepped his game up.”

While Casemiro should feature against Sociedad, he could get a chance in the Premier League sooner than he thinks.

McTominay has been booked four times in six Premier League games so far this season. One more caution will see him pick up a one-match ban and could give Casemiro his chance to finally showcase his talents in England’s top flight.

United face a trip to Crystal Palace when they return to Premier League action on Sunday.

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