Raphael Varane and Casemiro have turn out to be distinguished issues for Erik ten Hag, in accordance with former Manchester United assistant Rene Meulensteen. After watching United's deficiencies uncovered at the beginning of the season, the Dutchman has been urged to exchange the high-profile duo with gamers suited to his relentless fashion.

Meulensteen solely knew success throughout his spell as United's first-team assistant beneath Sir Alex Ferguson between 2007 and 2013.

The following decade was stuffed primarily with mediocrity and underperformance, fuelled by poor decision-making close to the summit of the membership's hierarchy.

Erik ten Hag provided hope of a turning level by means of an pleasurable maiden season at Old Trafford, ending a six-year trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup and ending third within the Premier League.

But United have slipped again into their lacklustre habits this time period, shedding six of their opening 11 video games in all competitions.

An unprecedented harm disaster has undoubtedly contributed to the Red Devils' struggles. Unnecessary off-field drama additionally hasn't helped.

However, Meulensteen believes that Ten Hag nonetheless possesses too many gamers that do not match his philosophy regardless of splashing over £400million throughout his two summer season switch home windows on the helm.

He has named ex-Real Madrid duo Varane and Casemiro as two stars who performed an important function final season however have since been uncovered.

"United have certain shortcomings. [Varane] cannot handle the pace. The Premier League is dynamic," Meulensteen informed ESPN.

"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] desires to place lots of stress on, with lots of depth, identical to at Ajax. But he does not have the gamers for that. The gamers do not have the mentality to continuously put stress 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."

Ten Hag inherited Varane, who Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed in a £34m deal one yr earlier than he landed at Old Trafford because the Norwegian's everlasting successor.

But he recruited Casemiro final summer season for £70m, albeit after lacking out on Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong on the fruits of a window-long pursuit.

Both gamers have been finally costly short-term fixes, which has began taking its toll on Ten Hag's facet and is a matter needing an answer.