Erik ten Hag explains why Casemiro started at centre back for Man United and gives Amad verdict

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag claims he "didn't have options" to replace Casemiro at centre back.

Casemiro started his fifth game running in defence and was culpable for Leandro Trossard's winning goal in United's latest defeat at home to Arsenal.

Teenage centre back Willy Kambwala returned from a four-game absence to make the bench against Arsenal while Scott McTominay captained United in the absence of Bruno Fernandes.

McTominay occupied Fernandes's role behind striker Rasmus Hojlund but the Scot has started at centre half for United and Scotland.

Ten Hag discounted that as an option. "I didn't have options," Ten Hag stressed. "Kambwala was not fit. Just returning from injury is not fit to start.

"McTominay? I haven't seen it but what I heard, was not always a success and I think he's better in that advanced position, higher up the pitch and there we had our problems."

READ MORE: Amad and Amrabat good but Hojlund and Casemiro poor - United player ratings

READ MORE: Pre-match scenes before United lost to Arsenal suggest their decision is coming

Amad made his first United start in 886 days in what was his first meaningful selection in the line-up, having previously started in heavily rotated teams.

The right winger was bright and earned a standing ovation when he was forced off injured in the second half on 70 minutes.

"I think Amad deserved it," Ten Hag opined. "There was a lot of competition in that position, he was injured a long time, he built himself back and he deserved it.

"But across the season with Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, we have options there. Rashford played there as well. Today, he deserved that position and he played very good.

"We expected him to. He was brave, he was creative, defended