It is 11 seasons since Manchester United were crowned champions. They’ve been the Premier League’s biggest spenders in that time, with an outlay of more than £1billion — but they’re currently 11th in the table.
They are still securing strong results at Old Trafford, albeit their home wins over Wolves and Forest were unconvincing. Away from home, however, their alarmingly poor form has carried on with defeats at Tottenham and Arsenal. Standards have slipped.
In every game they are set up in the same way with an open midfield, which Brighton could exploit on Saturday if Erik ten Hag has not used the international break to strike a better balance.
Casemiro has been sitting deep with Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes further forward, either side of him. United are the Premier League’s worst culprits for letting opponents dribble past them and Casemiro tops the list.
But it does not help that the 31-year-old Brazilian is often left on his own to deal with the flood of opposition players coming through the middle. In the defeat by Arsenal, when keeper Andre Onana had the ball, Casemiro was dropping between the centre backs. That takes United’s most combative midfielder away from the centre and tasks Eriksen and Fernandes with winning the ball back when they lose possession.
United have not looked comfortable in the system and, against Arsenal, they often resorted to long passes in the hope Marcus Rashford could make something of a one-v-one opportunity.
When Casemiro dropped to create a back three, Ten Hag was ordering his full backs to get high and wide. Aaron Wan-Bissaka looked wary of carrying out that instruction because he was not getting cover from midfield, and there was nobody screening the passes into the counter-attacking Gabriel Martinelli.
Mikel Arteta’s men exploited that vulnerability for their first goal. Wan-Bissaka was left in a two-v-one situation. Casemiro could not get across to deal with the danger. Fernandes was too far forward. Eriksen retreated into the back line when he should have sat on the edge of the box to stop Martin Odegaard. As soon as Odegaard scored, Fernandes and Eriksen were blaming each other.
Sofyan Amrabat has now arrived but the defensive midfielder hasn’t kicked a ball this season. One assumes United have worked hard to get him fit.
United need to take care of the ball because Brighton will press them high. Roberto De Zerbi’s men have recorded more high turnovers than any other Premier League side this season. They even go after the keeper.
Kaoru Mitoma is one of the best ball-carriers in the division and could run riot. Evan Ferguson is threatening to become the most dangerous striker in England after Erling Haaland.
United must put up a more convincing performance, find a better balance and get a result. Lose this one and Ten Hag will be facing a full-blown crisis.
Rufubulor
0
Casemiro was brought in to solve their midfield issues but they are still getting bullied in midfield. Now they say Amrabat is brought in to solve this Casemiro issues which means Casemiro didn’t even solve their issues at the first place. Mega flops Sancho and Anthony are brought in to solve their Right Wing issues but presently their biggest concern is the debacles with their right wingers. Onana was brought in to solve their GK issues but they are leaking more goals in pre and actual season. As a rival fan, I’m happy. ETH at the wheels!
Can’t hear you, enjoy 12th place and mid table fight this season. At this rate, 7chester United won’t even make past UCL group stage [Crylaugh]
Hakkprtz
0
casimero should be benched now a days
ugohcharles
1
Surprise surprise, he lost
Soccpstuz
0
Manchester united boys photo Facebook very good football pasan don't good Allwis rong Erik ten hag
Soccpstuz
0
noe boys pasan no right very very lost times it is
Soccpstuz
0
Manchester united clubs Allwis boys don't likes
Soccpstuz
0
one boys don't right pasan
Soccpstuz
0
very bat Erik ten hag
Cjaysports
0
In the age of information, ignorance is a choice Sir.
🤣🤣
Rankloprz
0
hinceimouz
1
This game Manchester United is going to loose After that manager will come out saying our performance was good and we are progressing The Usual atternes
ArchangelRaphael
0
This is the problems with English pundit United was on a draw when the coach added Maguire and Evans what consign Casemiro with the results The problems is the coach
fiwbinprs
0
To be frank I don’t like the way Casemiro plays at United He’s not technique, doesn’t move the ball very well and do not control the tempo Did you watch his recent match at Brazil? He was criticized brutally Football keeps on changing and Quardiola is setting a standard in EPL
Football is changing and more reason why ETH needs to change tactics. There is no need blaming any player at this point.
Achadbt
1
Don’t worry Maguire will play today 💪🏼
zupcdiot
0
The more reason we need his quality. United needs a ball carrier in midfield. Someone who is comfortable on the ball with no pressure United needs a cm to play with cam ( Bruno)and cdm (Casemiro) Rather than playing mount and Erickson
To be frank I don’t like the way Casemiro plays at United He’s not technique, doesn’t move the ball very well and do not control the tempo Did you watch his recent match at Brazil? He was criticized brutally Football keeps on changing and Quardiola is setting a standard in EPL
Konarce4christ
2
You're the biggest fool of all time, A waste of dust, the time spent in creating you should have been used for Barbing the pubic hair.
zupcdiot
0
The more reason we need his quality. United needs a ball carrier in midfield. Someone who is comfortable on the ball with no pressure United needs a cm to play with cam ( Bruno)and cdm (Casemiro) Rather than playing mount and Erickson
United should have gone for Mohamed Kudus
pythagorasofficial
0
This Casemiro who they are dribbling past is a problem for the team cuz as he was dribble pass before he could recover and we have deduct by 1 pass the opponent
Casemiro and getting dribble is 5&6. Go and watch EL Classico again. Messi always dribble him. And what? He has nothing to prove again. 32 years old ? Now that Amrabat is in, the best thing is to rest Casemiro cos of champion league games. Amrabat sef don get injury 😂
fiwbinprs
1
His only quality is defending We’re no more playing mourinho style of play here
The more reason we need his quality. United needs a ball carrier in midfield. Someone who is comfortable on the ball with no pressure United needs a cm to play with cam ( Bruno)and cdm (Casemiro) Rather than playing mount and Erickson
pythagorasofficial
2
His only quality is defending We’re no more playing mourinho style of play here
Stop blaming Casemiro please. His only quality is in defending yet he’s scoring for us. Don’t forget he’s the only threat we have when we want to play set pieces. His only qualities is in defending, what was his job before? Is he not playing as a 6?
Ayomide220
0
United problem is Casemiro who lacks all the qualities of a good holding midfielder like Rodri and Partey Until ETH allows mctominay to play United will continue to struggle in midfield Casemiro doesn’t control the tempo,he doesn’t move the ball very well and he’s not technically good I don’t see the difference between him and Fred and Amrabat
And ur mom will thinking 💭 she born u with sense
pythagorasofficial
0
This mctominay is a guy who learns and willing to learn Besides he’s improving as a young lad Football is all about qualities
For the past 5 years? So we wait and babysit him. Just so you know. He’s not a natural born CMF. He started as a striker even before Mourinho brought him in. Mourinho changed his style of play when he had issues with Pogba that time. You can confirm in his shooting. He’s accurate. But all McTominay does is running and foul. No proper or decent tackle.
tucbikosyz
0
United problem is Casemiro who lacks all the qualities of a good holding midfielder like Rodri and Partey Until ETH allows mctominay to play United will continue to struggle in midfield Casemiro doesn’t control the tempo,he doesn’t move the ball very well and he’s not technically good I don’t see the difference between him and Fred and Amrabat
man u fans are confused people
pythagorasofficial
2
It’s not about his prime Casemiro lacks the qualities of a good holding midfielder in the EPL 1.He doesn’t control the tempo 2.He doesn’t move the ball very well 3.He’s not technique Watch the video of Rodri,Partey and you will see what am talking about
Can’t you see Casemiro is tired? Look the set of players Rodri is playing with compared to Casemiro. Look at the way Gundogan plays or Kovacic even Bernardo Silva. They are the ones helping Rodri move the ball. Compared to Man United where we are using Eriksen who’s an Attacking midfielder as a double pivot in that ‘6’ position. Eriksen can’t hold the ball very well in that position cos he doesn’t have that freedom. And again, Eriksen can’t tackle , so the work is all on Casemiro. If you bring this same Rodri or Partey to this current Man U team and bench Case the problem will still be there and that’s why we brough Amrabat in. He wanted to solve the midfield issue he went to buy mount. That’s a mistake. Mount is an AMF himself and these set of players needs freedom. But you’re asking mount to play a double pivot, all he does is running around. I don’t even think he has 10 touches in a game.
CiscoMannie
0
He’s tired. Can’t everyone see that? He needs support. Imagine using Eriksen to pair with Casemiro. Casemiro is doing all the tracking back. Rashford doesn’t track back, Eriksen can’t mark. Bruno is good at attacking.
Still he have to improve himself because it’s from his first season he’s been getting dribbled and that’s the error we get him to get rid for us
ruycdsu
0
Casemiro was brought in to solve their midfield issues but they are still getting bullied in midfield. Now they say Amrabat is brought in to solve this Casemiro issues which means Casemiro didn’t even solve their issues at the first place. Mega flops Sancho and Anthony are brought in to solve their Right Wing issues but presently their biggest concern is the debacles with their right wingers. Onana was brought in to solve their GK issues but they are leaking more goals in pre and actual season. As a rival fan, I’m happy. ETH at the wheels!
yeah...and stay happy in the Europa League 🙂
zupcdiot
1
Casemiro was voted as best cdm last season . So I don’t even know what you are saying . Do you expect him to do all the work by himself in midfield? He is always left alone because United attack can’t press and whenever they beat utd press he is always exposed . The system United is using is bad. This is not the time to blame any player because with Casemiro is cdm Madrid won champions league . Go back to last season and watch Casemiro’s highlights he was the backbone of the team . The truth is the system United is using right now is not working .
His only quality is defending We’re no more playing mourinho style of play here
zupcdiot
0
You’re making sense at the beginning, but you spoiled it by mentioning McTominay. The same McTominay we’ve been using for over 5 years now without result. If he’s all that good, why did we bought Casemiro. Dey play 😂
This mctominay is a guy who learns and willing to learn Besides he’s improving as a young lad Football is all about qualities
pythagorasofficial
5
The same Casemiro you’re talking about, let him get a red card or injured. Then you’ll see Man United will be in a big mess.
fiwbinprs
4
United problem is Casemiro who lacks all the qualities of a good holding midfielder like Rodri and Partey Until ETH allows mctominay to play United will continue to struggle in midfield Casemiro doesn’t control the tempo,he doesn’t move the ball very well and he’s not technically good I don’t see the difference between him and Fred and Amrabat
Casemiro was voted as best cdm last season . So I don’t even know what you are saying . Do you expect him to do all the work by himself in midfield? He is always left alone because United attack can’t press and whenever they beat utd press he is always exposed . The system United is using is bad. This is not the time to blame any player because with Casemiro is cdm Madrid won champions league . Go back to last season and watch Casemiro’s highlights he was the backbone of the team . The truth is the system United is using right now is not working .
pythagorasofficial
0
Casemiro was brought in to solve their midfield issues but they are still getting bullied in midfield. Now they say Amrabat is brought in to solve this Casemiro issues which means Casemiro didn’t even solve their issues at the first place. Mega flops Sancho and Anthony are brought in to solve their Right Wing issues but presently their biggest concern is the debacles with their right wingers. Onana was brought in to solve their GK issues but they are leaking more goals in pre and actual season. As a rival fan, I’m happy. ETH at the wheels!
Bring Rodri to this current Man U, you’ll still complain cos the type of players they both are playing with are different.
zupcdiot
0
Casemiro is past his prime normally. But no Dey compare Tchoumeni with am when dem gather Dey prime. You Dey whine??
It’s not about his prime Casemiro lacks the qualities of a good holding midfielder in the EPL 1.He doesn’t control the tempo 2.He doesn’t move the ball very well 3.He’s not technique Watch the video of Rodri,Partey and you will see what am talking about
pythagorasofficial
0
This Casemiro who they are dribbling past is a problem for the team cuz as he was dribble pass before he could recover and we have deduct by 1 pass the opponent
He’s tired. Can’t everyone see that? He needs support. Imagine using Eriksen to pair with Casemiro. Casemiro is doing all the tracking back. Rashford doesn’t track back, Eriksen can’t mark. Bruno is good at attacking.
pythagorasofficial
0
Poor tactics. If he goes into today’s match with this same tactics,Brighton will tear us apart
If he use Bruno as a RWF, we are done.
pythagorasofficial
1
United problem is Casemiro who lacks all the qualities of a good holding midfielder like Rodri and Partey Until ETH allows mctominay to play United will continue to struggle in midfield Casemiro doesn’t control the tempo,he doesn’t move the ball very well and he’s not technically good I don’t see the difference between him and Fred and Amrabat
You’re making sense at the beginning, but you spoiled it by mentioning McTominay. The same McTominay we’ve been using for over 5 years now without result. If he’s all that good, why did we bought Casemiro. Dey play 😂
pythagorasofficial
0
Tchouemeni is good baller than Casemiro
Casemiro is past his prime normally. But no Dey compare Tchoumeni with am when dem gather Dey prime. You Dey whine??
zupcdiot
0
you think Madrid were stupid in selling him to you, and you made him one of the highest paid in the team
Tchouemeni is good baller than Casemiro
AchileAdamu
0
Ten Hag is a good manager but his problems are he doesn't have confidence in Mactomy,Fred, and he doesn't have the best substitute for Bruno and Rashford. When these players at not in form, man UTD can't win a match. Erickson and Martial are not supposed to be in man UTD this season. I wish them good luck!
you calling yourself man utd fan is biggest problem man utd has at the moment because is insane to hear utd fans pick mcfred ahead of Casemiro
Diego_Simeone007
0
United problem is Casemiro who lacks all the qualities of a good holding midfielder like Rodri and Partey Until ETH allows mctominay to play United will continue to struggle in midfield Casemiro doesn’t control the tempo,he doesn’t move the ball very well and he’s not technically good I don’t see the difference between him and Fred and Amrabat
see God bless u
cizceikruy
1
United problem is Casemiro who lacks all the qualities of a good holding midfielder like Rodri and Partey Until ETH allows mctominay to play United will continue to struggle in midfield Casemiro doesn’t control the tempo,he doesn’t move the ball very well and he’s not technically good I don’t see the difference between him and Fred and Amrabat
you think Madrid were stupid in selling him to you, and you made him one of the highest paid in the team
zupcdiot
1
United problem is Casemiro who lacks all the qualities of a good holding midfielder like Rodri and Partey Until ETH allows mctominay to play United will continue to struggle in midfield Casemiro doesn’t control the tempo,he doesn’t move the ball very well and he’s not technically good I don’t see the difference between him and Fred and Amrabat
Sisamost
2
Poor tactics. If he goes into today’s match with this same tactics,Brighton will tear us apart
Demaskinos
1
Ten Hag's team looks drunkard, Jaded and confused.all Ten Hag Targets during every transfer window, is to bring those players who played for him in Holland some decades ago of which doesn't make sense.
Bizzano
0
stop stop stop commenting.. otherwise Supercomputer will appear at the start of the season..
A nightmare for Arsenal fans 🥴🤭
CityCT
1
Last season Arsenal were topping the table with more than 10 points ahead of City and a game in hand, but City ended up winning the league as usual. All I'm trying to say is that, the league just started and we know our position in the league.
stop stop stop commenting.. otherwise Supercomputer will appear at the start of the season..
feuilrsuyz
0
Casemiro was brought in to solve their midfield issues but they are still getting bullied in midfield. Now they say Amrabat is brought in to solve this Casemiro issues which means Casemiro didn’t even solve their issues at the first place. Mega flops Sancho and Anthony are brought in to solve their Right Wing issues but presently their biggest concern is the debacles with their right wingers. Onana was brought in to solve their GK issues but they are leaking more goals in pre and actual season. As a rival fan, I’m happy. ETH at the wheels!
Does Casemiro play the midfield alone with lazy players he can’t do it excellently
CiscoMannie
0
This Casemiro who they are dribbling past is a problem for the team cuz as he was dribble pass before he could recover and we have deduct by 1 pass the opponent
phabiano5000
0
Eric Ten Hag will not escape sack this season, just mark this words his not a good coach
are you the one that will sack him
phabiano5000
0
Casemiro was brought in to solve their midfield issues but they are still getting bullied in midfield. Now they say Amrabat is brought in to solve this Casemiro issues which means Casemiro didn’t even solve their issues at the first place. Mega flops Sancho and Anthony are brought in to solve their Right Wing issues but presently their biggest concern is the debacles with their right wingers. Onana was brought in to solve their GK issues but they are leaking more goals in pre and actual season. As a rival fan, I’m happy. ETH at the wheels!
mumu face your Europa and leave the champions alone