Four ways Manchester United can replace Casemiro while he is out injured

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Manchester United have announced an injury to Casemiro which will keep him out for the foreseeable future.

The club website statement says an ‘assessment has revealed a strain that will keep him out for a number of weeks’.

Our instant reaction is a mix of frustration, at yet another injury blow, and resignation that this could be a serious hit for Erik ten Hag’s chances of keeping his job.

There is also anger that United have brought back another player from injury very quickly, only to see him suffer a more serious one. This felt avoidable. And then there is fear that Casemiro might not recover from this and that it might be time to cash in on the 31-year-old.

But now that’s all out the way, let’s think practically. How do Manchester United deal with this? Here is a look at a handful of solutions…

Manchester United’s four Casemiro replacement options

Part of the problem with Manchester United’s strategy in recent years is that when there is a gap in the squad, they spend big on one player and hope he will solve the problem.

But what happens when that player suffers and injury, gets burnt out, loses form?

United do have a group of players who can fill in for Casemiro, but not a lot…

Sofyan Amrabat: This is a good opportunity for Sofyan Amrabat to get a run of games for Manchester United. The Moroccan was bought to partner Casemiro and provide a rotational option. But they have barely played together.

United must hope Amrabat can stay fit. He has not shown his best form yet and it has been a little of a struggle so far. His qualities are either going to be shown up in this period, or his deficiencies are going to really stand out.

Scott McTominay: Manchester United had once hoped Scott McTominay would succeed Nemanja Matic, but he is better in a further forward role and has lacked the discipline to hold in front of the midfield.

However, McTominay has done it before. When Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-1 in September 2022, McTominay was the holding midfielder in a team with Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.

McTominay has vowed the players will ‘fight like dogs’, and if this means filling in a different position, then he will do it.

Kobbie Mainoo: One bright spot for Manchester United is the return of midfield wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo. When he made his FA Cup debut earlier this year he even replaced Casemiro, a sign of things to come perhaps.

Mainoo starred for the under-21s in the week, and is almost ready to come into first team consideration.

The problem is Manchester United’s dire situation. This is not the ideal time to throw a young talent into a team, with the problems piling up. However, with options so few, Casemiro’s injury may force Erik ten Hag’s hand.

Hannibal Mejbri: Perhaps the least likely of these four options, Hannibal can play in multiple midfield roles, including as a deep-lying midfielder, and this could allow him to showcase his passing ability a lot more.

Mostly he has been used as a more attacking midfielder, so this would be a departure from what he has done so far for United’s first team.

He has the energy and legs to get around the first team which Casemiro lacks, however, discipline is a major concern due to his propensity for picking up bookings – but this is something you can level at the Brazilian too.