Erik ten Hag’s midfield prediction looks set to be tested in crucial period for three Man Utd stars

Manchester United’s latest injury setback should, in theory, present Erik ten Hag with a significant conundrum in the build-up to Saturday’s game against Sheffield United. Yet, news that Casemiro has been ruled out with a knock won’t bring the same level of trepidation that it may have 12 months ago.

Admittedly, the issue will only keep the 31-year-old out for one Premier League encounter, against the division’s bottom side, but so often last season United were dependent on Casemiro’s talismanic displays. He was, as Ten Hag put it, ‘the cement between the stones’ and at times it looked utterly baffling that Real Madrid had allowed the Brazilian to depart.

Yet, with Jude Bellingham running the show in the Spanish capital and young midfielder Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni playing increasingly important roles, suddenly it seems like an astute move from Los Blancos.

Casemiro was hauled off at half-time in United’s last game - a 2-1 win over Brentford - with Ten Hag admitting afterwards that he ‘wanted more football’ and someone ‘who brings passing, distribution, link-up play’, qualities United’s no.18 showed in abundance during 2022/23. It was in some ways the first warning signal for the 31-year-old, whose displays have been emblematic of the team’s awful start to the new season. The message was clear: Improve, or you’re out.

That game should have been the start of a new and improved United midfield, with Sofyan Amrabat starting for the first time in the centre, which allowed Casemiro the freedom to advance and utilise his creativity in more offensive areas. But it was a sloppy pass from the midfielder that presented Brentford with their opening goal, while another misplaced effort went straight out of play from a throw-in.

Casemiro has started every single Premier League match this term, so his absence will force Ten Hag into a reshuffle against Sheffield United, although it’s not exactly uncharted territory for the United boss, who was without the Brazilian for seven matches last season due to suspension. With Casemiro unavailable, Amrabat will probably start and provide a more nimble option to shield the back four, while Bruno Fernandes will most likely play in a no.10 role.

It’s two thirds of what should be United’s best midfield, even if it doesn’t feel like that after two months of the season. One of Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay or Mason Mount are expected to fill the Casemiro-shaped void in the middle, a huge moment for players who have not been permanent fixtures in the side this season.

In truth, Eriksen has failed to hit the heights of last autumn since he returned from injury in April, and his defensive deficiencies are becoming more pronounced. As for Mount, no goals or assists in five league and Champions League matches isn’t the start he envisaged and the pressure will only continue to grow on the summer signing if he doesn’t improve soon. For McTominay, after his Brentford heroics he certainly is flavour of the month and perhaps deserves a chance to shine, yet there’s no doubting Ten Hag is not convinced by the Scotland international after 15 months at the helm.

Despite that, if either of the trio can make an impression with Casemiro out - especially with him also suspended for the midweek Champions League encounter against Copenhagen - then there could be further opportunities awaiting. There is even a chance two could be handed starts at Bramall Lane, with Fernandes playing wide.

The upcoming games will also provide a first real test run for Amrabat to show his capabilities in his preferred position, having played at left-back in his first four appearances due to the plethora of injuries at the back. That certainly wasn’t what Ten Hag intended when he brought the on-loan Moroccan to the club. “It was one of my wishes to get another no.6, another holding midfielder in the squad because in the season you need that depth there in that position,” the ex-Ajax boss said at the time.

“We only had Casemiro that can play really good there. Others we have to make compromises. In Sofyan Amrabat we have another one. He is strong, he is very dynamic and very good in the duels. I think he will contribute to the high targets we set at Man United.”

Perhaps, against Sheffield United and Copenhagen, Amrabat won’t be needed to perform at his very best, but upcoming matches against Newcastle United and Manchester City will provide a better litmus test for a player whose importance is only growing given Casemiro’s subpar showings.

For the ex-Madrid man, the next month will also prove whether the start to the season is just an underwhelming sequence, or the start of a much more alarming pattern. Either way, it’s a crucial important period for Casemiro and his fellow midfielders.

United face seven matches between the October and November international breaks - after that, the long-term plans for Ten Hag’s midfield may just become a little clearer.