Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has cautioned manager Erik ten Hag that he must show more respect to Raphael Varane and Casemiro, who he claims ‘didn’t join the Red Devils to sit on the bench’.

Varane and Casemiro were both crucial players for Manchester United last season, when the club won the Carabao Cup and finished third in the Premier League under Ten Hag.

Varane has started just one of their last ten games this season, falling down the pecking order with Harry Maguire back in Ten Hag’s plans.

Casemiro, on the other hand, is out until the New Year after being hooked at halftime in his past two appearances against Brentford and Newcastle United.

“The thing I can see with ten Hag is he tends to be willing to make more harsh selection decisions on the players that have way more experience than the young players who still have a lot to learn,” Saha said in an interview.

“These players are the finished product, and it is clear that ten Hag will say if you don’t perform for two or three games, you’re out, which may send a strong message to the rest of the players that if Varane or Casemiro can be dropped, so can anyone.”

“That could be good, but ten Hag’s strategy is risky.”

“I feel like you have to give those players a bit more respect, because they didn’t join United to sit on the bench.”