'I'm not the person who decides' - Man Utd star Casemiro swerves questions over Erik ten Hag's future as manager but backs beleaguered Red Devils to succeed under Sir Jim Ratcliffe & INEOS

The Brazilian has watched large parts of the current campaign from the sidelines due to an ankle injury, and has seen United make their worst start to a Premier League season since 1989-90 under Ten Hag. Such statistics have been matched by numerous abject performances, causing the pressure to ramp up on the Dutchman. However, Casemiro insists that Ten Hag can help the team "grow", and is already looking ahead to life under new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group.

Speaking to CNN, the five-time Champions League winner said: "I’m not the person who decides who should be manager. We have qualified people to decide that but [Ten Hag] showed last season he can grow Manchester United. Last season we had really good growth and the team was trending upwards. Of course, Manchester United always needs more and more and always needs to be winning but we showed last season that we are capable of achieving great things. I’m very happy at Manchester United. As I’ve always said, the fans have always helped me. The club is always good to me.”

On Ratcliffe's appointment, Casemiro added: "He’s already introduced himself to us. I think with his winning mentality and his wins in all sports, it’s always very important to have people that want to continue growing. With his experience he’ll return Manchester United to the highest possible level. We are very hungry to learn, grow and take the club to the highest place.”

United's problems during Ten Hag's second season have been clear for all to see. His side sit a lowly ninth in the Premier League table, 11 points off Aston Villa in fourth and with the league's joint-third worst goal-scoring tally. Off-field issues have plagued the Dutchman all campaign, including Ratcliffe's protracted investment bid, a public feud with Jadon Sancho and the most recent disciplinary case involving Marcos Rashford. Ten Hag has also been without a number of first-team stars through injury, such as Casemiro.

However, given that the Ratcliffe saga finally drew to a close late last year and with Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and other key players finally returning to action, the onus will now be on the Dutchman to salvage what has thus far been a disaster of a season. That recovery resumes on Thursday, when United will hope to climb back up the table with a win against Wolves.