Erik ten Hag drops hint over Casemiro's Man United future amid January exit claims

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hinted that he wants Casemiro to stay on for the whole of the 2024-25 season amid claims that he could be sold as early as January.

The 32-year-old hit the headlines again for the wrong reasons two weekends ago, where he was at fault for both of Luis Diaz's first-half goals in the Red Devils' 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League.

Casemiro was taken off at half time in that Old Trafford humbling and now faces intense competition from Manuel Ugarte, who joined in a big-money deal from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day.

Casemiro surprisingly did not leave the club while the window was open, but a new report from Football Insider claims that he could join a team in the Saudi Pro League as early as January.

However, speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's Premier League showdown with Southampton, Ten Hag affirmed that Casemiro is still very much part of his plans and brushed off his Liverpool horror show as one "bad day at the office".

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Ten Hag: 'Man United definitely need Casemiro'

"You definitely need him, for sure. Of course I speak with him about the situation. Everyone can have a bad at the office - have you never had a bad day at the office?" Ten Hag said.

"He [Casemiro] is experienced. I guess it's not the first time he's had to deal with a bad game, so he has to overcome this as well. But it's normal in life you have highs and lows.

"In your life and in the life of a football player, there are many people observing this and who have an opinion on this and you have to deal with this. He knows how to deal with it."

While Casemiro has been publicly backed by his manager, the former Real Madrid man is now at serious risk of losing his place in the XI to Ugarte, who could come in for his debut at St Mary's on Saturday lunchtime.

It has been reported that Casemiro is determined to fight for his spot in Ten Hag's starting lineup, but the Dutchman has warned the South American and all other players in the squad that they need to "prove" that they are the best fit for the team.

Ten Hag sends Casemiro warning despite vote of confidence

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"Nobody's career goes only up, no team's pattern only goes up. Then you have to deal with it – then it is about what is the end result. I normally do talk to him and in this case I did as well, but players in our club know when you are playing at this level, there is always competition," Ten Hag added.

"They also know you can only be successful if you have a squad that has cover. You can't have a squad where you only have one player who can cover this – you need at least two for each position, sometimes three. Then it's about what is the best fit for the team. They have to prove it, that is the key word. They have to take responsibility and win games for the club."

Casemiro still has two years left to run on his contract with Man United, who paid an upfront fee of £60m to sign the midfielder and also have the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.

The 32-year-old has registered 12 goals and nine assists in 87 matches for the Red Devils across all competitions, winning one FA Cup and one EFL Cup during his first two years in Manchester.

Ten Hag also provided a triple fitness update and responded to recent criticism from ex-Man United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo in his media briefing ahead of Saturday's trip to Southampton.

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