Erik ten Hag’s derby squad fails, while Mikel Arteta looks like he’s building something special at Arsenal
Erik ten Hag is not yet a serious football man, but there is a detail of comedy in Manchester United’s denouement at the Etihad. It’s there in Ten Hag’s comment that Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t seem “out of respect for his wonderful career. “Possibly or possibly not a brilliant caustic joke. More importantly, he was there in Casemiro’s face when he began the attack already dead, having won five Champions League medals only to realize that he is, in fact, not as smart as Scott McTominay. Appropriate celebrity signings and consistent team building. A prominent black hole of 37 years that is probably not of the Ten Hag type. But not starting Casemiro, a midfielder who has been the most productive in the world in his role, made little sense. Barney Ronay
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