Manchester United is prepping for a crucial Premier League match on Sunday against Newcastle United. However, things have become complicated for the Red Devils as their star defensive midfielder Casemiro is suspended for this game and three more matches due to his second red card of the season.
Fred’s Importance to Manchester United without Casemiro
Casemiro’s unavailability is undoubtedly a significant blow to Manchester United, but his teammate Fred has an excellent opportunity to step up and fill the void. Fred is a natural box-to-box midfielder who always puts in maximum effort during matches. Even though he has not been a regular starter this season, Fred has impressed in flashes with his energetic all-action style of play.
Furthermore, compared to Manchester United’s other central midfielders, Fred runs further and presses more aggressively. His 22.7 pressures per 90 minutes average are considerably higher than others in his position. The last time Fred started a Premier League away match without Casemiro by his side was in a 2-0 win at Leeds United in February, and he was excellent that day—especially out of possession.
Therefore, without Casemiro, Fred’s importance to his team—especially during the Newcastle United match on Sunday—will undoubtedly be appreciated.
John Barnes Says Newcastle Need to Exploit Casemiro’s Absence
John Barnes—the former Liverpool player—has advised Newcastle United to be aggressive and take advantage of Casemiro’s absence during the game against Manchester United. It would be unwise for Newcastle just to sit back and defend without exploiting the space that Casemiro would usually occupy.
Barnes added that Newcastle should try to get players forward from midfield and be brave in possession if they want to reap benefits from Casemiro’s suspension. He also mentioned that Manchester United’s defense has been vulnerable lately, and they have conceded goals in their previous five matches.
Manchester United’s Reliance on Casemiro in Midfield
Manchester United has undoubtedly undergone a massive transformation this season under Erik ten Hag, and Casemiro has been a star performer in the midfield. He has played a vital role in the club’s success and has been a vital cog in the team’s transformation under Ten Hag.
However, Casemiro’s absence will put United’s midfield under pressure, especially as Christian Eriksen is also unavailable due to an injury. Manchester United has struggled when Casemiro has been absent in the past, lacking control in midfield and requiring tactical changes.
Although Ten Hag played down suggestions that United is too reliant on Casemiro, citing successful games without him earlier in the season, last week’s FA Cup quarterfinal against Fulham highlighted their dependence on him. Manchester United’s performance was sluggish without Casemiro holding the midfield together.
The upcoming three league matches within seven days without Casemiro will be challenging for Manchester United. However, it is an opportunity for players like Fred to step up and make their mark. As always, only time will tell how Manchester United handles this tricky situation without their best defensive midfielder.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
