Manchester United’s ‘million dollar question’ answered by Erik ten Hag

Amid an uncertain start to the season, Manchester United have a ‘million dollar question’ according to former defender Paul Parker.

Erik ten Hag’s side have struggled in the Premier League so far, with just two wins out of five games and their latest game being an embarrassing loss against Brighton.

One of the main problems so far this term has been United’s difficulties in the middle of the park, with injuries and form combining to cause troubles at Old Trafford.

The Reds are still without new signings Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat – although the England international did return to training this week – as well as young talent Kobbie Mainoo, who also returned to light training on Tuesday morning.

Amrabat, 27, joined the club on an initial loan move on deadline day at the start of the month but is yet to make his debut for the Old Trafford side.

Former United defender Paul Parker believes that the big question at United right now is whether the Moroccan can come into the midfield alongside Casemiro and help provide a stronger base in the engine room.

“The million-dollar question right now is whether Casemiro and Amrabat can play together. A lot of people are trying to find multiple reasons why they can’t play together,” Parker told mybettingsites.

“But honestly, we will just have to wait and see. I think it comes down to whether they can respect each other more than their qualities on the pitch.

“Amrabat needs to respect what Casemiro has done in his career. On the other hand, Casemiro needs a good team around him and he needs help. Can Amrabat be that player? I think he can and I think they can create a really good partnership in that midfield.”

The United manager Ten Hag has addressed these concerns, with there being a view that Casemiro and Amrabat would rotate as the deepest midfielder in the team, and believes that Amrabat will fill a role that is missing next to the Brazilian.

“What we missed in our squad was behind Casemiro, another one, a typical holding midfielder,” stated Ten Hag. “Amrabat can play alongside Casemiro, he’s also capable in a higher position [and] he can play as a wing-back or full-back.”

That flexibility could also be useful after it was confirmed that Aaron Wan-Bissaka suffered an injury during the loss against Brighton on Saturday. Ten Hag has just two fit full-backs – Diogo Dalot and loanee Sergio Reguilon – after youngster Alvaro Fernandez was sent on loan on deadline day.

United face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.