Former Manchester United coach names two Manchester United stars struggling with Erik ten Hag’s style of play

Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has claimed United stars from Real Madrid – Raphael Varane and Casemiro, are struggling with Erik ten Hag’s style of play.

Meulensteen, who was the Red Devils first team coach at Old Trafford under Alex Ferguson from 20017-13, believes the current players are not capable of the high energy, pressing style that the Dutchman wants to implement.

“United have certain shortcomings. [Varane] cannot handle the pace,” he told ESPN.

“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 also feels no sympathy for the Dutchman amid the club’s poor form due to the fact that he has largely got the players he wanted at Old Trafford.

“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,” said Meulensteen.

“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 Standing is really up to Erik. And that’s how it should be.”