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Man United manager Erik ten Hag has highlighted two players of particular importance to his squad.
As reported by talkSPORT, Ten Hag singled out Casemiro and Raphael Varane as the two players at the club with experience in winning titles.
The Dutchman has brought five players to the club permanently since joining from Ajax in the summer; Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Antony and Christian Eriksen.
Loan signing Martin Dubravka meanwhile has since returned to Newcastle.
Man United boss singles out star duo
Ten Hag has praised all five of his permanent signings, but highlighted the signatures of Casemiro and Varane – who was brought to Manchester by his predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – as particularly important.
Both players, who moved to Old Trafford from Real Madrid, were well used to regularly lifting trophies with the Spanish giants.
“Only real personalities, who can perform under great pressure, can play here,” said Ten Hag.
“We needed personalities. That’s why the acquisition of Casemiro was so important. Along with Raphael Varane, we now have a second player who has experience of winning titles.
“Malacia, Martinez, Casemiro, Antony are all fighters, while Christian Eriksen is a technical winner and a great personality. We want the best of the best. Any players we bring to Manchester United must meet the highest standard.”
Ten Hag tears into Man United historic transfers
The Man United boss also touched on the club’s recent campaign, and indeed their recent transfers before his arrival.
A number of high-profile players have come and gone at United over the years and have had little to no impact, much to the dismay of the current boss.
The Red Devils finished sixth in the Premier League table last time out, 13 points behind the top four. But the situation has improved massively under Ten Hag, with Man United currently sitting fourth this time around.
They have won 11 of their 17 matches, drawing two and losing four. Their 35 points sees them level with third place Newcastle, with the Magpies ahead only on goal difference.
Rivals Manchester City meanwhile are second on 39 points, with leaders Arsenal on 44.
Man United are also into the Europa League knockout stages, as well as the fourth round of the FA Cup and the quarter-final of the League Cup.
Such success was not witnessed at Old Trafford last season, with Ten Hag placing a large amount of the blame on the “unimaginable number” of underwhelming players the club have signed in recent years.
“Manchester United didn’t exactly have the fear factor last season,” said Ten Hag. “There was no spirit. I saw no team dynamic in the squad.
“The mental resilience was very low. I saw that as an outsider – and also noticed it in my first weeks at the club. I looked at the culture of the club. I asked ‘How did Manchester United become great?’
“The club has bought an unimaginable number of players in recent years who have not been good enough. Most purchases have been average – and, at United, average is not good enough. United’s shirt weighs heavily.”
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