Erik ten Hag should change 31-year-old’s position to solve two growing problems in his side

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Erik ten Hag should consider changing Casemiro’s position in order to solve two big problems he has on his hands at Manchester United.

So far this season, the midfield has been a massive area of concern for Manchester United. Casemiro has struggled to keep up with play as team after team dominate us in the centre area.

The most controlled and assured that Manchester United have looked this season actually came without Casemiro at the base of midfield. Instead, Sofyan Amrabat has provided United with the control and defensive security that has been much needed.

But that brings up one of the huge issues; Casemiro is only in his second season at the club with a five year deal signed. Casemiro cost the club £70 million which makes binning him on the back of a poor few months at 31-years-old a poor choice.

This issue has been joined in significance by United’s defensive injuries which keep stacking up. Both these can be solved through a positional change for the Brazilian.

Casemiro to centre-back solves two problems

If Casemiro were to be deployed as a defender opposed to a midfielder, United would see a real improvement in their ball retention and also they’d be less vulnerable to being overrun.

Casemiro has lost some mobility in the last year which makes him a real weakness in transitions with many goals this season coming from that scenario.

Therefore moving Casemiro back, allows Amrabat to thrive in his favoured position where he could be really impactful.

Casemiro could also be a really useful option at centre-back with Raphael Varane consistently injured.

Our number 18 is no stranger to playing in defence and did so a handful of times last season, often to a high standard.

Will Ten Hag do it?

While it may seem far-fetched, we see it as one of Erik ten Hag‘s best options.

Casemiro is too big a player and personality to bench, and with a obvious weakness in the defence, he would be perfect to fill in.

He is much more a natural fit here than Amrabat was at left-back.

We wouldn’t be surprised if Ten Hag is reviewing ways to fit Casemiro in that doesn’t involve him in midfield, especially after being hooked at half-time v Brentford.