I think its part of that cultural shift of accountability that ETH is trying to build. Just because you are a big name doesn't mean you can just walk into the starting 11. Benching Macguire, Ronaldo, Shaw etc.
McT is playing well or at least executing ETH's instructions to the levels that he wants. So he is using Casemiro as an example that just because you have won lots of trophies or personal accolades doesn't mean that you can just walk into the team. You need to earn it.
But having said that I think he will start Casemiro and Ronaldo against Sociedad.
The biggest power a manager has is the power of selection. ETH is using that now.
I think that is likely the case, and I can't complain too much because we are yet to lose. That said, I don't think this 'big name' thing is fair. Casemiro is not a bigger name, he's a better footballer. McTominay is doing well, but there is still clear room for improvement in our midfield. We cede a lot of the ball for example, and we create barely any good chances. From Casemiro's first appearance, the first thing I noticed was him snapping passes in first time to players further forward. Scott is doing well, I will not try and take that away from him, but there is still room for better.
That said, I guess I do see the value from a squad harmony thing of motivating all players to perform, and Scott is playing a lot better than he usually does, and you need everyone to be able to contribute. I'm just curious as to when this ends. I'm not sure Casemiro starting in the EL is much testimony of anything. If he only plays Thursdays, along with other unfancied players, so long as Scott continues to play well, then i still feel we are limiting ourselves to McTominay's best as opposed to Casemiro's best, which has proven itself to be better. The longer this goes on, it becomes even more unfair to 'drop' McTominay. So how does Casemiro earn his place exactly?
It's not about name, it's about quality. Casemiro has been objectively one of the world's very best for a number of years. He should be playing. He shouldn't be amongst those that need to 'earn their place' for me, although like everyone, he should be amongst those what can lose their place if they actually perform terribly. I cannot imagine that if we had managed to sign De Jong last month that Ten Hag would have had him on the bench. I understand Malacia earning a spot from Shaw, but if you sign Casemiro, you play him.