Manchester United fans finally got to see the club’s best midfield trio back together once again.
It has been too long since Manchester United fans got to see Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes start a game together.
During a run from October to the end of January, the trio established themselves as United’s clear first choice.
An injury to Christian Eriksen along with suspensions to Casemiro have denied us the chance to see this trio playing together once again.
Eriksen returned to fitness a week ago and manager Erik ten Hag has played it cautiously. He has preferred Eriksen’s transfer window cover Marcel Sabitzer, at least while the Dane eases himself back in.
Sabitzer starred against Sevilla with a brace, so deserved to keep his place against Forest. An injury in the warm-up saw him drop out, and Eriksen come back in.
Back together in the starting line-up at the City Ground, Casemiro, Eriksen and Fernandes looked like they hadn’t missed a beat.
The trio work so well together, with Casemiro shielding the defence, and Fernandes and Eriksen helping United move upfield.
Fernandes created six goalscoring chances against Forest while Eriksen created three. Casemiro had one key pass himself too.
Gary Neville lauded Fernandes as man of the match, but Eriksen was every bit as impressive. He managed 80 touches in 79 minutes, playing a key role in his first Premier League start in January.
Numbers released by Opta show that Manchester United have won 15 and drawn two of the 17 games the trio have started together in all competitions.
Now it’s being taken away
Just as we get a taste of what it is like to see this trio back together again, it is being taken away.
Bruno Fernandes is suspended for Manchester United’s tie against Sevilla in midweek after harshly being booked for handball in the first leg.
It is particularly cruel to see Fernandes miss this game. Of the three players, he is the one who has been most consistently available.
The good news is we know from this game that Eriksen is fully up to speed. Now it is a question of who might replace Fernandes for the match-up.
Marcel Sabitzer and Scott McTominay may be in contention if fit. The most likely option is that Fred comes back in.
But Erik ten Hag has been a little reluctant to use him since the international break. The Brazilian has not been selected to start any of the five matches.
For the subsequent FA Cup semi-final next Sunday, the trio could be back together. Beforehand, Fernandes gets an unwelcome break.
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