Erik ten Hag has praised the performance of Sofyan Amrabat after the midfielder made his full debut for Manchester United.
Amrabat impressed as the Red Devils booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, with the summer signing starting in an unfamiliar left-back position before switching to his preferred midfield role.
Ten Hag was full of praise for Amrabat’s adaptability and believes the Moroccan midfielder can add energy and dynamism to his side.
“Yeah, but that’s why we play him there and I know he’s capable. I said before, he is a player [who] if the team needs him, he will play there,” Ten Hag told the club’s official website on Amrabat.
“And then he gives contribution to the team and that is quality, but also qualities, also then the energy and the dynamic he brings.”
Casemiro starred in the win over Palace with a goal and assist, bouncing back from a difficult start to the season with an improved performance. Ten Hag outlined the importance of the Brazilian to his plans and believes the midfielder can offer real threat in the final third.
“You know the qualities of Casemiro and he adds so much to the team in his distribution, but also in his arriving. And now, of course, it’s from a corner. And his heading is a threat. But I think on the third goal [he got the] assist.”
There was also a debut for academy product Daniel Gore, who celebrated his 19th birthday with a maiden appearance for the club as a second-half substitute.
“I think it’s a great birthday,” Ten Hag said on Gore.
“But I just said, I’m not a manager and we don’t have coaches who give players opportunities. They have to deserve it. And once they deserve it, they get the opportunity, but then they have to prove it.
“But also young players is Hannibal, Pellistri and Garnacho, they have to do it every time again. And we are very critical. They have to deserve it every day in training. And when the standards are too low, they will hurt from us and we don’t play them because they have to train every day to the maximum.”
