Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has expressed his worries about a key Manchester United player, advising manager Erik ten Hag to consider a significant and tough decision. Lampard believes this player’s outdated style is hampering the team’s progress, suggesting Ten Hag might need to bench him to prevent further issues. He warns that ignoring this situation could jeopardize Ten Hag’s position as manager, affecting the team’s long-term success. Interestingly, the player in question is not a typical target like Antony or Alejandro Garnacho, but rather a significant £60 million signing.
Lampard’s critique comes as Manchester United enjoys a strong performance, highlighted by a dominant 7-0 victory over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. The match showcased United’s control, with Marcus Rashford scoring the opener, followed by a penalty from Antony and a goal from Garnacho before halftime.
In the second half, Garnacho continued to impress, scoring again and assisting Rashford’s second goal. Bruno Fernandes was instrumental in midfield, contributing to two late goals for Christian Eriksen, reinforcing his importance to the team’s success.
Despite the scoreline, Joshua Zirkzee felt frustrated not to score, but his time on the pitch helped him build rapport with teammates. Noussair Mazraoui had a solid game, proving his reliability, which has earned him Ten Hag’s trust. Matthijs de Ligt played only the last ten minutes but benefited from the match for fitness. Amad came on late for Garnacho, showcasing his confidence even without the pressure to contribute to the win.
Though United triumphed over Barnsley, Lampard’s concerns remain pertinent. He stresses the importance of Ten Hag addressing underperforming players, as these issues could resurface in tougher matches. Lampard implies that Casemiro, the £60 million signing, may be the player who needs to be sidelined, as he may not be fitting well into the team’s evolving tactics, potentially hindering their ambitions against stronger opponents.
While Casemiro has provided vital defensive stability since joining, Lampard suggests that his recent performances may not align with Ten Hag’s strategic needs. This misalignment could pose a greater challenge as the season progresses, making it essential for Ten Hag to make difficult decisions, including possibly benching Casemiro, to ensure the team’s continued growth and his own job security.
In a season highlighted by impressive performances from Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Christian Eriksen, Lampard’s insights serve as a crucial reminder. Ten Hag needs to make sure all players, particularly key ones like Casemiro, are fully aligned with his tactical approach. Neglecting this could result in setbacks, even following strong victories. As Manchester United aims to capitalize on their recent successes, balancing current form with addressing underlying issues will be essential in their quest for further achievements.
