Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has warned Casemiro that he faces a waiting game to force his way into Erik ten Hag's preferred starting line-up.
The Brazilian was dropped to the bench for Thursday evening's Europa League clash with Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova, despite starting their Group E opener against Real Sociedad last week. It was his first start for the club after signing from Real Madrid last month.
However, following the postponement of this coming Sunday's scheduled clash with Leeds United, manager Erik ten Hag opted to almost revert back to the starting line-up that has recently served United well in the Premier League, making five changes from the defeat to Sociedad. Scott McTominay was recalled to the side at the Brazilian's expense.
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Casemiro failed to make the most of his first start last week, with the best of his passes coming via his head rather than his feet. His wait for his full debut came as a surprise to many United fans as they expected him to become an immediate regular starter, such was United's desperate need for midfield reinforcements.
But to McTominay's credit, he has raised his game since Casemiro sealed his move to Old Trafford. And for former Reds star Scholes, the Brazilian will have to be patient, even though he believes he will eventually nail down a place in Ten Hag's strongest line-up.
"It's not as such as a surprise now [he's left out] because of them four games [in the league]," Scholes told BT Sport. "I thought he [Ten Hag] was always going to pick his Premier League team. Casemiro, we know the quality he's got and he'll have to work his way into that team. He did okay, just okay, last week - he's clever, he's experienced.
"Eventually he will work his way into this team, but he's going to have to wait a little bit."
Although Casemiro did not do enough against Sociedad to hold onto his place, there were certain elements to his performance that surprised Scholes.
"He surprised me a little bit with his forward passing, his range of passing, I thought he was more of a winner, getting the ball back in midfield," added Scholes. "It was [Toni] Kroos and [Luka] Modric last year; he has more to his game and showed more of a range to his game.
"That's his first game for some time and I think he will, eventually, with the quality he's got, work his way into the team."
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