Erik ten Hag says he 'slept well' after dropping Ronaldo on the bench

After two consecutive defeats at the start of the season,

decided to put

and Harry Maguire on the bench against Liverpool in August and his team managed to beat them 2-1 at Old Trafford.

now is in third place, 10 points ahead of their sixth-placed rivals. Ten Hag’s side also has only lost once in their last 20 games.

Ahead of the game against Liverpool on Sunday, Ten Hag said he has no regrets over the decision to leave Ronaldo on the bench.  

"I have to see and to face the consequences of it. The impact from the decisions, not only on the short term but on the longer term, of course,"

he said in a press conference.

"I think you always have to think statistically and [consider] what is the consequence in the longer term. I am aware of it but that's my job and that's the responsibility I have to take.

"I had reasons, they were obvious. And I knew also the consequence and also when it was a negative outcome from that game, which always is possible in football.

"But I'm not worrying. I sleep well, also on those nights, and I have to take decisions in respect of the team and the club. That is my job and that is the responsibility I have to take and I have to stand for those decisions.”

Ronaldo left the club in November after a controversial interview, and club captain Maguire has lost his place in the starting eleven this season.

Former Real Madrid star Casemiro who joined the club last summer has played a huge part in Manchester United's improvement this season and Ten Hag praised his personality and mentality.

"I had a player in Ajax who set such standards, but definitely Casemiro in this team, he is such a leader and he is so important for us,"

Ten Hag said.

"Not only with his performances, skills, like scoring a goal, or his header, or like linking up or intercepting balls. Organisation, the mentality, the culture, and we are so happy that we signed him.

"I think when you go to recruitment, we were looking for players with character, with personality and it was not only about signing a player – there are a lot of players in the world that have great skills. We are looking for players who have character. Players who have personality, who have leadership, who take responsibility, who are resilient."

Ten Hag also insisted that he has not been surprised by Casemiro's quality.

He said:

"I knew what a magnificent player he was. Just look through his profile. You see all the cups he won and that's not [a] coincidence.

"You have players who win, and win always, and players who lose and always lose. Of course, you have to do your research and find that type who will win and who are cooperative in the dressing room to be humble but when they are on the pitch they take responsibility and you can sit on the bench and you are composed."

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