Manchester United head into the UEFA Champions League without Casemiro at the base of the midfield and that will be a concern for Erik ten Hag who has paraded the 31-year-old in his starting line-up.
After recovering from a small injury sustained during the international break, Casemiro remains out for the crucial Champions League match through suspension.
The Red Devils will be depending on Sofyan Amrabat to fill the holding midfield position in his absence.
The Morocco international played there against Sheffield United over the weekend. But it’s unclear if he would be better off playing alongside Casemiro or as a like-for-like replacement. Gary Neville, a former United player, thinks it’s the former.
Ahead of his arrival on deadline day, Neville told Sky Sports: “The main signing that looks like it may happen. They’ve been chasing him throughout the whole of the transfer window – is Amrabat.
And I’ve always felt that, he’s not a holding midfield player. But he’s played in that position alongside Casemiro where he’ll get on the ball and play and that’s what Erik ten Hag wants.
“I don’t think Amrabat is a panic [signing], I think they’ve wanted him from day one. He’s [Erik ten Hag] wanted that ball-playing midfield player going back 12 months to Frenkie de Jong.”
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Even though Amrabat obviously matches Ten Hag’s ideal midfield player profile. He might not be the right choice for United to replace Casemiro’s skill-set in defensive midfield.
If the Sky Sports pundit’s evaluation is accurate, the 27-year-old will be at his strongest for the Red Devils when he is paired alongside his Brazilian partner in the future.
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