Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has expressed concern regarding a crucial Manchester United player and has advised manager Erik ten Hag to consider making a tough decision. According to Lampard, this player’s outdated playing style is hindering the team’s overall performance, and Ten Hag may have to take the bold step of benching him in order to avoid future issues.
Lampard warns that failing to address this concern could potentially put Ten Hag’s job at risk, leading to prolonged struggles for Manchester United. Interestingly, the player in question is a high-profile £60 million signing, rather than more commonly discussed names such as Antony or Alejandro Garnacho.
Lampard’s comments come in the aftermath of Manchester United’s emphatic 7-0 victory over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford. United took control of the game from the very beginning, with Marcus Rashford opening the scoring.
Antony then converted a penalty to double the lead, and Alejandro Garnacho added a third goal just before halftime. In the second half, Garnacho continued to shine by scoring his second goal of the night and assisting Rashford’s second as well. Bruno Fernandes was instrumental in midfield, contributing two late assists for Christian Eriksen, underscoring Fernandes’ vital role in the team’s dominant performance.
Despite the comprehensive win, there were still moments of disappointment. Joshua Zirkzee, although happy to have played, was frustrated at not finding the back of the net himself. On the defensive side, Noussair Mazraoui impressed with his steady and reliable display, further earning Ten Hag’s trust. Matthijs de Ligt came on for the final ten minutes to keep up his match fitness, while Amad Diallo, who replaced Garnacho later in the match, displayed confidence, though his involvement wasn’t critical to the outcome.
Despite this commanding display from Manchester United, Lampard remains concerned. He emphasizes the importance of Ten Hag addressing underperforming players before these issues become problematic in more challenging matches.
While he doesn’t explicitly name the player, it seems Lampard is referring to Casemiro, the £60 million signing, as the individual whose form is potentially lagging behind. Casemiro, who has been a pivotal figure in United’s midfield, may now find that his style doesn’t fully align with Ten Hag’s tactical plans, especially as the team adapts to new strategies to compete with stronger opponents.
Lampard believes that Ten Hag must show a willingness to make hard decisions, such as possibly sidelining Casemiro, in order to protect the team’s long-term success and his own job security.
The season has already seen standout performances from key players like Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Christian Eriksen, and Lampard’s observations serve as a reminder to Ten Hag that even influential players like Casemiro must be carefully evaluated to ensure they fit within the manager’s evolving tactical vision.
Ignoring such concerns, Lampard argues, could result in setbacks when Manchester United face tougher opposition in the future. Therefore, while the team continues to build on recent successes, Lampard stresses that addressing these underlying player issues will be crucial to maintaining their momentum and ensuring sustained progress throughout the season.