Casemiro backs under-fire Erik ten Hag to ‘achieve great things’ at Manchester United and expects Sir Jim Ratcliffe to return the club to ‘the highest possible level’ after his £1.3bn partial takeover

Casemiro believes Manchester United are capable of ‘achieving great things’ under Erik ten Hag and has backed him to turn his team’s fortunes around.

The Dutchman led United to a third-place finish in the Premier League last season and won the Carabao Cup, the club’s first trophy in six years.

But United have failed to build upon a promising showing in ten Hag’s first season in England and have badly regressed badly this term, putting his job under scrutiny.

United are eighth in the Premier League, 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa, and have already lost nine times in 21 league games.

They were also knocked out of the Champions League after finishing bottom of their group and their Carabao Cup defence ended with a dismal 3-0 defeat at home against Newcastle. 

The Dutchman has been under scrutiny throughout what has been a dismal season so far 

But Casemiro insists ten Hag remains the right man for the job, despite United’s struggles this season.

‘Last season we had really good growth and the team was trending upwards,’ he told CNN.

‘Of course, Manchester United always needs more and more and always needs to be winning but we showed last season that we are capable of achieving great things.’

Scrutiny over ten Hag’s future has been exacerbated by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s impending partial takeover of the club.

United and the British billionaire announced on Christmas Eve he had agreed a £1.3billion deal to acquire a minority stake in the club after 13 months of negotiations.

That has since led to speculation ten Hag could be replaced once Ratcliffe has his feet under the table at Old Trafford and his INEOS group formally takes control of football operations.

‘I’m not the person who decides who should be manager,’ Casemiro said.

‘We have qualified people to decide that but [Ten Hag] showed last season he can grow Manchester United.’

INEOS have already made their first big call by hiring Manchester City chief football operations officer Omar Berrada as United’s new CEO.

Ten Hag won the Carabao Cup last season, United’s first trophy in six years 

United are eighth in the Premier League, 11 points off fourth-placed Aston Villa 

Jim Ratcliffe’s partial takeover of United should be approved by next month

The move was hailed as a major coup for United and Casemiro believes Ratcliffe’s and INEOS’ track record in sport bodes well for the future. 

‘He’s already introduced himself to us,’ he said. 

‘I think with his winning mentality and his wins in all sports, it’s always very important to have people that want to continue growing.

‘With his experience he’ll return Manchester United to the highest possible level. We are very hungry to learn, grow and take the club to the highest place.’