Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand man rips into two senior Man Utd stars - 'Can't handle it'
Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant Rene Meulensteen wants to see Erik ten Hag replace two underperforming stars.
Man Utd's five worst decisions since Erik ten Hag took over
Raphael Varane and Casemiro have become prominent problems for Erik ten Hag, according to former Manchester United assistant Rene Meulensteen. After watching United's deficiencies exposed at the start of the season, the Dutchman has been urged to replace the high-profile duo with players suited to his relentless style.
Meulensteen only knew success during his spell as United's first-team assistant under Sir Alex Ferguson between 2007 and 2013.
The following decade was filled mainly with mediocrity and underperformance, fuelled by poor decision-making near the summit of the club's hierarchy.
Erik ten Hag offered hope of a turning point through an enjoyable maiden season at Old Trafford, ending a six-year trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup and finishing third in the Premier League.
But United have slipped back into their lacklustre habits this term, losing six of their opening 11 games in all competitions.
An unprecedented injury crisis has undoubtedly contributed to the Red Devils' struggles. Unnecessary off-field drama also hasn't helped.
However, Meulensteen believes that Ten Hag still possesses too many players that don't fit his philosophy despite splashing over £400million across his two summer transfer windows at the helm.
READ MORE Man Utd join hunt for Neves but face release clause conundrum [TRANSFERS]
He has named ex-Real Madrid duo Varane and Casemiro as two stars who played a crucial role last season but have since been exposed.
"United have certain shortcomings. [Varane] cannot handle the pace. The Premier League is dynamic," Meulensteen told 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] 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.
DON'T MISS
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag torn apart for 'throwing Jadon Sancho under the bus' [QUOTES]
Man Utd could finally offload Donny van de Beek as manager name-drops Dutchman [TRANSFERS]
Man Utd star Eriksen claims he's not Ten Hag's cup of tea in honest interview [INTERVIEW]
"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 year before he landed at Old Trafford as the Norwegian's permanent successor.
But he recruited Casemiro last summer for £70m, albeit after missing out on Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong at the culmination of a window-long pursuit.
Both players were ultimately expensive short-term fixes, which has started taking its toll on Ten Hag's side and is an issue needing a solution.