Manchester United transfer decision ‘may have’ surprise impact on criticised star

Manchester United recently fell to a rather demoralising 3-0 defeat against Liverpool, slipping to 14th in the Premier League table.

While Erik ten Hag has taken a significant amount of blame for the drudging at Old Trafford, Brazilian midfielder Casemiro held his fair share of critics.

The 32-year-old was at fault for Liverpool’s two first-half goals and was taken off at half-time and replaced by 20-year-old Toby Collyer, whose presence helped calm the Reds.

The only positive during the game was the introduction of new signing Manuel Ugarte, who stepped out onto the turf ahead of kick-off to say hello to his new home crowd.

Speaking after the game, former United striker Andy Cole explained that Ugarte’s arrival may benefit Casemiro.

The former striker also noted that while Casemiro was punished significantly by Liverpool, fans cannot just focus on the individual error.

“It might do, but I’m not going to sit here and say that Casemiro was the reason why Manchester United lost to Liverpool on Sunday,” Cole told BetFred.

“Football is a team game, and unfortunately, every now and then, an individual makes a mistake, gets caught out, and the opposition capitalises on it. You can’t just blame an individual for a defeat.

“I look at football completely different to the way the fans do because I’ve been involved in the game, but nine times out of ten when a player makes a mistake, you’re not necessarily going to be punished.

“Casemiro was punished just like Kobbie Mainoo was for the third goal, but that’s football.”

Although Ugarte will have been at the club for over two weeks once United play again, Ten Hag admitted the 23-year-old may take months before he can regularly start.

“We have to build him into the team,” Ten Hag cautioned. “It will take time, so it’s not like I’m Harry Potter. That is what you have to acknowledge.

“And if you see Manuel Ugarte, he didn’t play so far in the season. Not one match minute. So he needs to build his fitness rate, and then we have to build him in the team, and I am sure he will contribute to our level, and he will be an important player, but that will take a couple of weeks, maybe even months.

“And it counts for more players. Joshua Zirkzee, he made big steps the last three or four weeks, I am very pleased with his performance today but I didn’t expect this four weeks ago.”

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