Erik ten Hag hint on how he’ll replace Casemiro for Man Utd clash vs Arsenal
Erik ten Hag has already explained how he will replace Casemiro for Manchester United’s crucial Premier League match at Arsenal, and it does not involve playing Lisandro Martinez in midfield.
Casemiro will not make the trip to the Emirates after receiving a yellow card against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. The star holding midfielder will now serve a one-game suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Real Madrid’s Casemiro joined United in a £70 million deal and has excelled for Ten Hag’s squad. With his game awareness, positioning, technical skill, and leadership abilities, he has helped revolutionize the Red Devils and established himself as one of the summer’s top signings.
After witnessing United’s humiliating four-goal loss to Brentford in August, the Brazilian was motivated to join the club by the challenge it posed. Casemiro texted his agent after the match, “Tell them I’ll fix it.”
The 30-year-old starred in United’s derby victory over Manchester City on Saturday as the Red Devils extended their winning streak to nine games in all competitions. His impending absence for the trip to Arsenal will be a significant setback for Ten Hag, who trail the Gunners by eight points in the Premier League title race despite having played one more game.
United are the only team to have defeated Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in the Premier League this season, and they did so without starting Casemiro. The Brazilian had only joined the club a few weeks prior to the match, so he lacked full match fitness.
Scott McTominay partnered Christian Eriksen in the heart of United’s midfield, Fred was introduced midway through the second half, and Marcus Rashford, who had scored twice, was replaced by Casemiro with ten minutes remaining.
Ten Hag was rumored to employ Martinez in the ‘Casemiro role,’ moving the Argentine out of his natural position in the heart of the defense, where Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, or Harry Maguire could play alongside Raphael Varane.
Martinez joined Ajax as a midfielder but adapted to playing defense under Ten Hag, who, while at Ajax, explained his selection of midfielders as follows: “Daley Blind lacks the speed required to play in midfield. And neither does Martinez.”
This appears to eliminate the possibility of Martinez playing as a holding midfielder, and it is more likely that McTominay will be reintroduced into the lineup for the trip to north London, as he started the corresponding matchup earlier in the season.
Erik ten Hag hint on how he’ll replace Casemiro for Man Utd clash vs Arsenal
