Manchester United suffered defeat in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
A disappointing display saw United concede two in the first 11 minutes, and then another early in the second half.
There were few positives to cling onto from the loss, which seems to see an intense fixture schedule finally catch up with the team.
One player who was praised after the defeat was Casemiro, with MUTV pundit Fraizer Campbell believing he kept his standards high.
Campbell told United’s post-game coverage (6/11): “He did his job, he broke up play, made vital tackles and distributed ball to wide areas at decent times.
“He must be upset he’s had a decent game and come away with nothing. It was a frustrating afternoon for a lot of United players.”
This was the first game Casemiro had started and lost in the Premier League, an experience he won’t want to repeat too often.
The Brazil international completed 46 of 59 passes, managing 75 touches overall, but his defensive numbers were not as high as he would have liked, with just one tackle won and one interception.
Casemiro needs a break
This was the 10th game Casemiro had started for United inside the past month, and despite Campbell’s assertion he was one of United’s better players, that doesn’t necessarily say much.
The midfielder needs the rest which the midweek Carabao Cup game should bring, ahead of a tricky fixture away at Fulham next weekend, the final match before the World Cup.
He isn’t the only one, and United will have to get the balance right between playing time and performance quality for the upcoming matches.
It is important to end this first part of the schedule on a high, but whatever happens in the final two games, United can be encouraged by a largely positive start to the season under Erik ten Hag.
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