Could Casemiro’s absence be a blessing in disguise for Man United after his poor form? Erik ten Hag will have to tinker in midfield for Sheffield United visit, with Sofyan Amrabat, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay all hoping for a chance

• Casemiro has remained in Brazil after picking up a minor injury last week
• His absence from Sheffield United trip gives Ten Hag a chance to experiment
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Sheffield United have taken just one point from 24 available on their Premier League return and prop up the table. One of their defeats saw them ship eight goals to Newcastle United.

Yet despite all that, Manchester United will still fear a banana skin when they travel to Bramall Lane on Saturday night.

Following a far from satisfactory opening to the season, Erik ten Hag’s side are liable to make heavy weather of even the simplest of assignments.

Who to play in midfield is the main dilemma for Ten Hag pre-match with Casemiro the latest addition to an injury list that never seems to go down.

Casemiro only has a ‘small issue’ after being forced off during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Venezuela before completing 70 minutes in their second game with Uruguay.

Casemiro will miss Manchester United’s trip to Sheffield United on Saturday night after picking up a minor injury while away on international duty with Brazil

Erik ten Hag has started Casemiro in all 11 matches United have played this season but will now have to find an alternative midfield combination 

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But he has remained in Brazil for treatment and so won’t be sampling the delights of a night out in Sheffield.

He is suspended for Tuesday night’s Champions League game with Copenhagen anyway following his red card in the loss to Galatasaray.

In truth, it could prove a blessing in disguise for United because Casemiro has performed nowhere near his best in the early weeks of the season.

The 31-year-old has regressed from his often imperious displays during his debut season in English football with United’s midfield all-too-often overrun.

Casemiro clearly retains Ten Hag’s trust, having started all 11 of United’s matches this season, but his absence doesn’t feel as much of a crisis as when he was suspended last term.

Indeed, Ten Hag hooked him at half-time during the 2-1 win over Brentford just before the international break, bringing on Christian Eriksen because he wanted ‘more football.’

It was a moment that sadly had been coming for Casemiro since the beginning of the season and it will force Ten Hag to look at alternatives, which could benefit United going forward.

The most obvious fix would be a straight swap with Sofyan Amrabat at the base of the midfield.

Casemiro’s performances have slipped backwards after his excellent debut season at United

Sofyan Amrabat would be the obvious like-for-like replacement in defensive midfield

Amrabat’s start to life at United has mainly been playing as an emergency left-back

The Moroccan has been through an unexpected start to his United loan spell when asked to play as an auxiliary left-back following injuries to Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Sergio Reguilon.

But with Reguilon back to fitness, Amrabat could play in defensive midfield with Mason Mount in the No 8 role and Bruno Fernandes at No 10 as usual.

Man United fixtures 

Premier League unless stated

Saturday Sheffield United (A)

Tuesday FC Copenhagen (H)

Champions League group stage

October 29 Manchester City (H)

November 1 Newcastle United (H)

Carabao Cup fourth round

November 4 Fulham (A)

November 8 FC Copenhagen (A)

Champions League group stage

You’d think this combination would have potential. Amrabat doesn’t lack for drive, while Mount could track back and cover when required. They should have more than enough for Sheffield United.

But then Ten Hag may feel a need to reward McTominay for his match-saving performance against Brentford two weeks ago.

The international fortnight would have been thoroughly miserable around the club had they lost and the pressure on Ten Hag ratcheted up like never before.

There would have been as much attention on on-field failings as off-field matters with Sir Jim Ratcliffe taking a 25 per cent stake in the club.

But McTominay has changed the mood and potentially provided some valuable momentum following a shaky start to the season.

The Scot would most likely play instead of Mount, alongside Amrabat and Fernandes, and there would be a decent balance about that midfield.

McTominay wouldn’t really have known what role he was going to play at United this season having been up for sale over the summer.

But he has actually started a couple of games and then conjured that miraculous intervention late on against Brentford.

Ten Hag knows he is a reliable performer in midfield and effective in the opposition penalty area too. He could be tempted to throw him into the fray again at Bramall Lane.

After he provided greater balance in midfield against his old club, maybe Eriksen is worthy of a start as well.

He could play alongside Amrabat and Fernandes as the No 8 or even alongside McTominay and Fernandes, though that second option may lack a defensive screen.

Will Ten Hag give Scott McTominay a start following his late heroics against Brentford?

McTominay scored two stoppage time goals a fortnight ago to rescue United from defeat

Christian Eriksen (left) and Mason Mount (right) will be hoping to claim a starting place

Skipper Bruno Fernandes celebrates United’s victory over Brentford last time out

So at least Ten Hag does have options – the loss of Casemiro doesn’t feel like a crisis.

Indeed, an ideal scenario is that one of these triumvirates clicks brilliantly on Saturday night and shows a better way forward.

As we’ve seen, there has been a lot of tinkering already this season in the United engine room.

Casemiro was actually the one constant – but that may be all about to change.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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