Erik ten Hag says he took off Manchester United midfielder Casemiro during Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Liverpool as his side chased the game and had to take chances.
The former Real Madrid star had a poor first half, losing possession twice as Luis Diaz grabbed a brace to put the visiting Reds in a dominant position.
Casemiro was withdrawn after the first 45 minutes and replaced by 20-year-old Toby Collyer, but the Red Devils could not force their way back into the match. see Mohamed Salah score again at Old Trafford.
Speaking about the replacement, Ten Hag said Sky Sports: “It’s what the team needed. You know when you’re losing 2-0 against Liverpool you have to take more risks, he’ll be open. When you’re losing you have to take more risks. I have to praise the team You have to keep fighting and uniting – if
“You know the game and he knows it. He will continue and we will continue. He is a great player. We will continue this season to improve the team and the players.
“He’s improved and he’s shown so many times that he’s a great character. We’ve all seen great moments from him and he’s been decisive in midfield. He’ll show it again and he’ll bounce back.”
united fell to their second league defeat in three games and will have to wait until after the international break to put things right when they visit Southampton.
Ten Hag added: “We made mistakes and they were very clinical in the finish. They did really well.
“If I look at all the chances we conceded, I don’t think that’s what happened. We made mistakes. They were all individual mistakes. Maybe the last one can be debated where our double six was. Liverpool he did great, but the goals conceded expectations weren’t that high.”
