Former Tottenham Hotspur and Netherlands midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart believes Erik ten Hag's decision not to include Casemiro in his starting line-up for Manchester United's 6-3 derby day defeat to Manchester City on Sunday was "very stupid." Casemiro signed for an initial £60million fee from Spanish giants Real Madrid in August, but is still waiting for his first Premier League start and was named on the bench for the fourth game running at the Etihad Stadium.
Ten Hag opted to continue with Scott McTominay in the defensive midfield position, such is the form that the Scot has been in recently.
Despite McTominay's encouraging performances in recent weeks, there was a feeling that Casemiro would be awarded his first league start for United for the short trip across town, given City's quality in midfield and attack.
However, Ten Hag chose to stick with McTominay, deploying him in midfield alongside Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes. READ MORE: United player ratings vs City as key duo poor United, particularly in the first half, were overrun by City, and constantly caught short in midfield.