Man United star defended after criticism, with Erik ten Hag’s system to blame instead

One Manchester United star has been criticised heavily in recent months, but a journalist believes that Erik ten Hag’s system is to blame for his inconsistencies.

United have had a torrid season, being knocked out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup in the early stages whilst sitting sixth in the Premier League with minimal chances of moving higher.

Many players who were key to Erik ten Hag’s success during his first season in charge at Old Trafford have underwhelmed this term.

No player is a better example than Casemiro, who was a rock in the midfield for the Dutchman last term but now often looks to be a liability in the engine room.

The Brazilian had another difficult game against Liverpool on the weekend, with further criticism coming his way.

However, TNT Sports journalist Fred Caldeira has come out to defend Casemiro, who he believes is not Old Trafford’s defensive problem.

Caldeira instead believes that the inexperience of Kobbie Mainoo defensively, mixed with the poor defensive structure Ten Hag has at the club, are overriding reasons for Casemiro’s difficulties.

“I didn’t understand some of the heavy criticism of Casemiro yesterday,” the journalist detailed.

“Manchester United’s defensive problem is structural. And as good and encouraging as Mainoo is, he still leaves a lot of space and has a natural reading of the game (18 years old).”

Casemiro has played 75 games for United since signing in the summer of 2022.