Four Manchester United players who could step up with Casemiro suspended

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Casemiro faces a four-game suspension after his second red card of the season which means he will not play another domestic match until mid-April.

Manchester United are already without injured midfielders Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen.

Casemiro will miss the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham, and after the international break, home games at Newcastle then at home to Brentford and Everton.

Fred and Bruno Fernandes are likely set to start all four games. The question mark likes over who takes Casemiro’s place alongside them. Here is a look at four options…

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023

Scott McTominay

“Dread it, run from it, McFred arrives all the same.”

Scott McTominay and Fred have not started a game for Manchester United together since the opening day of the season defeat to Brighton.

Now a lack of other options may reunite the pairing which was once Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s first choice.

The pairing is tried and tested, unspectacular, but a known quantity. McTominay in particular will have a point to prove, having been selected to start only one Premier League game in 2023.

He was injured the last time Casemiro was suspended, and this time United will need him to step up. He is the most likely to start against Fulham.

Marcel Sabitzer

Marcel Sabitzer was signed to provide cover and he was a solid fill-in during Casemiro’s first suspension, with Scott McTominay also out.

Sabitzer has been out injured for the last two games though, and even with a sudden recovery, McTominay will likely be ahead of him for the Fulham game.

He has been named in the upcoming Austria squad, suggesting his injury is not serious and that he will be available for the three league games after the break.

On loan Sabitzer has only a limited time to prove himself to Manchester United, and this could be the opportunity he has been waiting for.

Kobbie Mainoo

17-year-old Kobbie Mainoo has made a breakthrough this season, making his debut in the Carabao Cup and then following it up with FA Cup and Premier League appearances.

Erik ten Hag clearly rates him highly, and while these tough upcoming games are hardly ideal to throw him into, United are low on options.

Mainoo has been a regular in the first team squad in recent weeks and could see some action against Real Betis later this week.

Zidane Iqbal

Zidane Iqbal has been patiently waiting for a chance all season. He was the pre-season star who impressed Manchester United fans with his displays.

Since then he has not played a single minute for the first team, and he was denied loan moves in both transfer window.

Finally his opportunity could finally be arriving. This run of injuries will ensure Iqbal at least makes the bench, as he has done in six Premier League games this season.

Erik ten Hag wanted to keep the 19-year-old around for extra depth, and now he has his ‘break glass in case of emergency’ moment to potentially bring Iqbal into the side.