Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag explains Casemiro substitution and criticises two players

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he wanted "more football" by introducing Christian Eriksen for Casemiro against Brentford.

The sluggish Casemiro produced his worst performance for United and was replaced by Eriksen at half-time with Brentford 1-0 up.

After an excellent 2022-23 campaign, Casemiro has struggled all season and his position in the team is now in doubt after his interval removal.

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"I wanted more football," Ten Hag said, "one who brings passing, distribution, link-up play. So I thought bring Christian Eriksen for Case."

Substitute Scott McTominay scored in the 93rd and 97th minute to secure a euphoric comeback victory for United and prevent a third successive defeat at Old Trafford.

The win lifted United into the top half of the Premier League table and they have now won four and lost four from their first eight games.

Despite the jubilant scenes at full-time, Ten Hag was still piqued about aspects of the performance, warning United players they cannot get "eaten" again after they were beaten by hungrier opponents earlier in the season.

"Those games give fuel to a dressing room," Ten Hag stressed, "they know how far they have to go to get results and that it can't be easy-going.

"In football, it's eaten or you get eaten. Too many times, in the first half of the season, we got eaten by opponents who were more hungry and that can't be. It has to go away.

"Every player, every second he is on the pitch, he has to deliver that; that is the demand and the standard. When you do that, we have seen last season, you get a determined team. And we were not always determined on every