Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag makes admission on midfield amid Casemiro transfer

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Erik ten Hag has cited the absence of a deep-lying midfielder among the reasons for Manchester United's dreadful start to the season.

United suffered a first-ever home defeat to Brighton on the opening weekend and were battered 4-0 away at Brentford, extending their losing league run to four games.

The club's failure to reinforce their midfield was mercilessly exposed by both clubs but United have agreed a £70million deal to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid. Also read: Ten Hag explains decision to haul in players for training on day off Casemiro is due to become United's first out-and-out central midfield signing since Fred in June 2018 but Ten Hag spent the majority of the summer holding out for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. "I think we had a good basic pre-season," Ten Hag said. "But then our nine, (Anthony) Martial injured, (Cristiano) Ronny not fit, the six holding midfield position is not there, the first game we had two centre-halves who have not played together and also the goalie was not in the best period. "There is a clear reason why but I know we will fix that and also the results will be better.

That showed already in pre-season." Whereas De Jong is a more creative midfielder from deep, Casemiro is defensive-minded. Ten Hag claimed United's plans to recruit Casemiro were not prompted by the dire defeat at Brentford, where Christian Eriksen started as United's deepest midfielder.