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Two senior Manchester United players 'questioned' Erik ten Hag approach

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 16 June 2024

Two senior Man Utd players 'questioned' Ten Hag approach

Manchester United duo Raphael Varane and Casemiro questioned the approach of Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag over the last two seasons, according to a report.

Raphael Varane and Casemiro were allegedly two Manchester United players to question the approach of head coach Erik ten Hag over the last two seasons at Old Trafford.

A successful 2022-23 campaign saw the Red Devils finish third in the Premier League, in addition to winning the EFL Cup, but the team ended the 2023-24 Premier League season in eighth.

A poor campaign ended on a positive note, though, with an FA Cup victory over Manchester City making it back-to-back seasons with domestic trophies, while the success secured the team a spot in the group stage of the 2024-25 Europa League.

Ten Hag's future has been widely discussed by senior figures at Man United over the last three weeks, and it is alleged that the decision has been made to keep the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

According to The Athletic, Varane and Casemiro were two players in the dressing room to question the approach of the head coach.

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane on August 14, 2023 © Reuters

Varane, Casemiro 'have been critical of Ten Hag'

The report claims that the former Real Madrid duo had spoken to teammates about the coaching methods of Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane at Bernabeu.

Ten Hag was forced to play down rumours of a rift with Varane last season, but the ex-France international's contract has not been renewed, and he will leave on a free transfer at the end of the month.

There is also widespread speculation surrounding Casemiro's future, with the midfielder also potentially leaving the 20-time English champions this summer.

The Brazilian has another two years left to run on his £350,000-a-week contract, with the option of a further 12 months, but he could potentially make the move to the Saudi Pro League.

Manchester United's Casemiro looks dejected after the match on May 6, 2024 © Reuters

Casemiro could leave Man United this summer

Casemiro was not in the starting XI for the FA Cup final and then withdrew from the squad at a late stage, with Ten Hag claiming after the match that the midfielder was not fit.

However, the brother of Sofyan Amrabat, who started in central midfield, claimed that Casemiro had decided to remove himself from the squad after learning that he was not in the team.

Casemiro made 32 appearances for the Red Devils last term, scoring five goals and registering three assists in the process, but his performances from a defensive point of view were widely criticised.

Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood are also expected to be among those to leave Old Trafford this summer, with the club needing to raise money through player sales in order to boost their squad.

The club's new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has allegedly made six players unsellable, though, with Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez not allowed to leave under any circumstances.