Casemiro’s decline has created the biggest problem for Ten Hag

The Brazilian enjoyed an impressive debut season at Old Trafford, but his powers appear to be on the wane in 2023-24.

Casemiro is one of the best midfielders of his generation – a status he cemented after bringing the curtain down on his illustrious Real Madrid career to join Manchester United. He was the driving force behind United’s run to a third-place Premier League finish and Carabao Cup glory in 2022-23, with club legend Gary Neville describing his impact as “devastating”.

There was a caveat to Neville’s assessment, though. “£70 million ($85m) and £20m-a-year [contract] for five years is a £170m investment,” he said on The Overlap back in March. “That is a massive investment. It’s not a smart or shrewd signing when you look at it from a [big picture] point of view.”

Casemiro, who will turn 32 in February, is contracted to remain at Old Trafford until 2026, and there is an option to extend that agreement by an extra year. The man described as “the cement between the stones” by Erik ten Hag was supposed to be United’s long-term midfielder enforcer.

It should be a cause for great concern, then, that Casemiro’s body seems to failing him just 11 games into the new season. The Red Devils have lost six of those matches, which is why they are now languishing down in 10th in the Premier League table and in real danger of exiting the Champions League at the group stage.

There is plenty of blame to go around, but Casemiro’s decline has created the biggest problem for Ten Hag, who may need to take drastic action if he is to revive

Casemiro’s only truly decent showing of the campaign to date came in United’s 3-0 win against Crystal Palace in the third round of the Carabao Cup, which he capped with a brilliant headed goal. But the Eagles fielded a much-changed line-up that night, and got their revenge against the Red Devils at Old Trafford in the Premier League a few days later.

It’s fair to say that Ten Hag has not managed Casemiro particularly well in recent weeks, often leaving him isolated with his formation tweaks and failing to grant him adequate rest between matches. There is no excuse for how low the Madrid legend has let his standards drop, though, and he doesn’t deserve to be an automatic starter anymore

Despite their win over Brentford, United are a club in crisis. There is very little margin for error left in any competition if they are to salvage their season, with Ten Hag now very much fighting for his job. Taking Casemiro out of the firing line, even just on a temporary basis, would give the Dutchman a better chance of turning things around quickly.

.After the international break, United will return to action with two must-win fixtures. Ten Hag’s men travel to Bramall Lane to face newly promoted Sheffield United, who are still looking for the first Premier League victory, on October 21 – three days before facing FC Copenhagen at Old Trafford in the Champions League.

Casemiro was included in the latest Brazil squad, so he won’t get the chance to rest over the next 10 days. But if he is back in United’s starting XI against Sheffield United, supporters will be in for another nail-biting 90 minutes.

Ten Hag must take the opportunity to rotate, particularly after McTominay’s heroics against Brentford. He has earned the right to start United’s next game, with Amrabat likely to retain his place despite his difficult start to life in Manchester. Kobbie Mainoo could give the Red Devils another option in the middle of the park, too, with the teenager having recently returned to training following a serious ankle injury. The 18-year-old dazzled in pre-season, and looks ready to step up to the next level.

Fresh legs will be needed if United are to pick up back-to-back wins, before preparations begin for a blockbuster derby clash against Manchester City. If Casemiro is granted some time off, he could push for a return against the treble winners. Alternatively, his replacement against the Blades and Copenhagen could make a strong enough claim to keep him out of the team when United welcome their arch-rivals to Old Trafford. Either way, Ten Hag needs to make another bold selection call in order to spark his team into life.

Casemiro might not be finished as a United player just yet, but the club’s huge investment in his services is starting to look like a poor decision. And if he can’t roll back the years, the Red Devils will be on the lookout for yet another big-name midfielder in the January window.