One of Man Utd’s most important stars worrying performance against Burnley opens up new questions surrounding his future.
Manchester United shared the points at Turf Moor against Burnley following a 2-2 draw in Darren Fletcher’s first game in charge of the Red Devils. This is now the third draw in as many games for the club, leaving another chance to enter the top four slip away.
The home side took the lead with a cross from Bashir Humphreys, after he slipped past Casemiro, causing a wild deflection off Ayden Heaven to loop into the United net.
However, in the second half, United upped the ante and Benjamin Sesko ended his goal drought with a slick finish in the 50th minute, thanks to a brilliant ball by the returning Bruno Fernandes to slip the Slovenian in. The striker made it two, ten minutes later, after Patrick Dorgu accurately picked out Sesko in the box, and he made it count.
Fletcher’s men were not in the lead for long as substitute Jaidon Anthony levelled the score six minutes later with a scintillating finish in the box, rifling the ball into the top corner past Senne Lammens.
Casemiro’s frailties on show
Casemiro has arguably been one of the standout players this season. His presence in the midfield often set the tone during the previous manager, Ruben Amorim’s tenure, but today was an occasion where previous frailties were yet again on show.
It was evident that for the first Burnley goal, the Brazilian had switched off, and instead of following Humphrey’s run, he let him slip past him to send the cross in that led to the own goal by Heaven.
As the game wore on and became more frantic as the side pushed repeatedly for a winner, Casemiro’s ageing legs began to tire quickly, and the space in midfield was massive, similar to issues towards the end of Erik ten Hag’s reign.
While he retained some quality on the ball and was not entirely the weak link in the side, creating four chances, it was still a day to forget for the midfielder.
The Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston also echoed these points as he said: “Casemiro’s performance tonight is why I argued United must allow him to leave this summer, even when he was playing well. He turns 34 next month and was highly unlikely to be able to maintain that level of form.”
Midfielder signing is essential
No matter who the manager is, this iteration of the side will continue to have the same problems that it has had since the time of Erik Ten Hag if they fail to sign midfielders.
Despite the return of Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Fernandes from injury, the gaping hole in midfield is apparent for all to see. If a side tipped to get relegated is awarded this much space even with a change in system, then that should ring alarm bells for the higher-ups.
With Casemiro not getting any younger and poised for a summer exit, the club should not only be planning for his long-term successor in the summer but also for someone to begin the takeover now.
The club, of course, will be targeting the likes of Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson, who have both been long-term targets.
However, the club also need more depth, quality depth specifically that also has Premier League experience. The likes of Joao Gomes could be the player that United could go for this January to take the pressure off of Casemiro.
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