Erik ten Hag insists Casemiro remains a key player for Manchester United

“I met him after the game in the dressing room, so he didn’t leave the stadium at half-time,” Ten Hag said. “Why I subbed him was because we are 2-0 down against an opponent as Liverpool, with their qualities, they are very good."

Casemiro endured a tough half at Old Trafford (Nick Potts/PA)

Erik ten Hag insisted Casemiro can remain an important player for Manchester United despite replacing him at half-time after a dismal display in Sunday’s damaging 3-0 home defeat to rivals Liverpool.

Casemiro lost the ball in the build-up to both of Liverpool’s first-half goals, each scored by Luis Diaz with an assist from Mohamed Salah, with the latter scoring the visitors’ third early in the second half.