Rene Meulensteen, a former first team coach at Manchester United, has stated that five-time UEFA Champions League winner Casemiro and four-time UEFA Champions League winner Raphael Varane cannot handle the pressure of the Premier League.
Both players were brought in a season apart from Real Madrid as United sought title-winning quality to improve their squad. They have both been good additions to the squad, even helping to break a seven-season trophyless streak that the club had endured when they lifted the EFL (Carabao) Cup last season.
However, both players have been found wanting this season and their form has contributed to Manchester United’s struggles. Varane, 30, has been injured more times in the last year than he was in his last three seasons at Real Madrid. Casemiro, 31, has found himself spending more time on the sidelines due to suspensions and minor injuries as well.
Rene Meulensteen, who worked as a coach for the first team at Manchester United between 2007 and 2013 (Sir Alex Ferguson’s last years at the club), has weighed in on the impact of these behemoths.
The Dutchman chose to follow the less plied route by stating that the two serial winners are not fit enough for the Premier League. It is an unpopular opinion but it has not been expressed boldly in the media until now.
“United have certain shortcomings. [Varane] cannot handle the pace,” Meulensteen, who is currently the assistant coach of the Australia national football team, told ESPN at the team’s camp.
“The Premier League is dynamic. Everything goes at 100 kilometres per hour. That is the big problem in midfield. They have no energy and that is how the defence gets into trouble.”
“He [Ten Hag] wants to put a lot of pressure on, with a lot of intensity. Just like at Ajax. But he doesn’t have the players for that. The players don’t have the mentality to constantly put pressure on.”
“Casemiro, for example, can’t handle it at all. Ten Hag has a certain conviction about how he wants to play. But he has to find ways to get there.”
Meulensteen, however, did not absorb his compatriot and current Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, of the side’s troubles. He believes that the Glazers have supported him in the market and has asked the 53-year-old to take responsibility.
“He has brought in all the players and cannot say that he has not been supported. He has indicated that he is happy with this,” Meulensteen continued.
“He gets a lot of credit from the fans. I understand that. But these are not players who were brought in by the Glazers and are now on the field. The responsibility of the players who are now on the field is really up to Erik.”
