It was 11 months ago that Casemiro was hooked at the interval with United 1-0 down to Brentford. Before half-time against Liverpool, Toby Collyer was ordered to warm up.
The United supporters did not have to wait for the fourth official to upload the number '18' onto his board to know who he was coming on for. There was a particularly enthusiastic cheer with the confirmation that Casemiro had made way for Collver.
Erik ten Hag is not responsible for the timing of new midfield signing Manuel Ugarte's arrival but he was incapable of identifying a solution for United's midfield ills last season.
Until the FA Cup final when he dropped Casemiro.
Yet Casemiro has started all four of United's matches this term. Collyer emerged early for the second half and earned a pat on the back from Darren Fletcher before he was put through his paces.
Fletcher, sitting in the stands as usual, exited before the half time shrill and paused to speak with a United press officer. No amount of PR can defend Casemiro's 45-minute performance.
The Saudi Pro League transfer window is open until next week but they prefer younger recruits to the 32-year-old Casemiro. United are saddled with one of their highest earners for the foreseeable.
They need Ugarte to be good, very good.
Two defeats out of three is an identical start to Ten Hag's first Premier League campaign but it is in the opposite order this season. Any momentum United might have maintained from the opening night win against Fulham has been crushed by two damaging 6 defeats.
This story is from the September 02, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
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This story is from the September 02, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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