Man Utd dealt Casemiro setback as Ten Hag faces naming unusual Sheffield Utd XI

Football Digest: Magic McTominay rescues Manchester United

Erik ten Hag’s starting XI against Sheffield United could look very different to the Manchester United team that beat Brentford 2-1 in their last Premier League fixture. The absence of star midfielder Casemiro has left the Dutchman with a selection headache in the centre of the park ahead of the Red Devils’ trip to Bramall Lane.

United were struck by the news on Thursday that the 31-year-old will not be available for Saturday’s game due to an injury picked up while out on international duty with Brazil earlier this week. Casemiro is expected to remain in Brazil to recover from what is described as a “small issue”.

This makes him the 17th Man Utd player who has been sidelined by injury this season with Ten Hag battling all manner of problems. Casemiro came off injured against Venezuela last Friday but was thrown back into the starting line-up against Uruguay four days later. 

The same injury flared up after the game and although it is not expected to be too serious, he will miss United’s clash with the Blades this weekend. Luckily for Ten Hag, Sofyan Amrabat is likely to be available for selection.

Amrabat was forced to withdraw from Morroco’s squad for their final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ivory Coast on Tuesday. But the Fiorentina loanee returned to training with United on Thursday alongside left-back Sergio Reguilon.

Amrabat could partner Scott McTominay after the Scotsman rescued United from defeat against Brentford two weeks ago with a last-gasp double. He wasn’t at his best during Scotland’s defeats to Spain and France over the last seven days but neither were any of Steve Clarke’s men.

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The midfield trio is likely to be completed by Mason Mount with Bruno Fernandes deployed on the right. Mount has got off to a difficult start to life at Old Trafford but it feels as though he could spark into life at any moment.

The ex-Chelsea star is more likely to play than Christian Eriksen, who has mostly started on the bench when the Englishman is fit. If Ten Hag opts to go with Amrabat, McTominay and Mount as his starting trio against Sheffield United then it will be the first time they have all started a game together in the centre of the park.


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