Casemiro’s return to the Manchester United first-team squad could prove invaluable for Ruben Amorim for the Newcastle match at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
Ruben Amorim shook up his midfield in Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last Sunday evening, with Manuel Ugarte returning to the starting XI for his side.
Manuel Ugarte partnered alongside Bruno Fernandes in the two-man pivot of Amorim’s tactical system for United after Casemiro was suspended for the match.
Will Manchester United win vs Newcastle on Boxing Day? What is your prediction?
Why is our recent record vs Newcastle so bad?
However, the Red Devils midfield went through major changes in United’s encounter with Aston Villa after Bruno Fernandes was forced off with an injury at the break.
Lisandro Martinez emerged onto the pitch for the second half and the 27-year-old Argentine defender was deployed in the United midfield as Fernandes’ replacement.
The 2022 World Cup winner would play alongside Ugarte and later shared the midfield area with Jack Fletcher after the latter’s Premier League debut.
Casemiro’s return for Man Utd is important for both Ruben Amorim and Lisandro Martinez
Following Manchester United’s loss to Aston Villa at Villa Park, Ruben Amorim provided an update on Bruno Fernandes after the captain’s injury last Sunday.
The doubt around Fernandes’ injury could lead to United manager Amorim once again trying to experiment with another midfield pairing in his two-man pivot.
Casemiro missed the Villa match after an accumulation of bookings in the Premier League, with his last appearance coming in United’s 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Manchester United’s record without Bruno Fernandes is not great…
What is your biggest fear about Bruno being out of action?
The 33-year-old Brazilian has been Amorim’s preferred midfield partner for Fernandes ahead of Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo in the current campaign.
Casemiro is expected to start for United in Friday evening’s Premier League clash against Newcastle at Old Trafford after he has served his one-match suspension.
The former Real Madrid star’s role in the pivot could be essential for unlocking one of Lisandro Martinez’s midfield abilities that has not been seen at United.
Lisandro Martinez’s Ajax days show a midfield approach that Casemiro could facilitate for Man Utd vs Newcastle
Martinez impressed United fans with his second-half performance against Villa and the former Ajax star could be a key player in the absence of Fernandes on Friday.
The Argentina international is not unfamiliar with the demands of playing in midfield, having adapted to the role under former United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
Erik ten Hag managed Martinez at Ajax and the United defender found himself playing as a defensive midfielder for the Dutch club in the 2019-20 season.
WHAT did you think of Lisandro Martinez’s performance?🇦🇷
Do you want to see him in midfield again?
According to the Coaches’ Voice, Martinez’s “ball-winning ability” was further “honed” with his midfield role and he also became a ‘disruptor’ for Ten Hag’s side.
“As Ajax pressed high, Martinez was free to push out further up the pitch to try and disrupt the earlier stages of the opposition’s build up,” reads the Coaches’ Voice’s assessment in 2022.
Casemiro, much like he has done for Fernandes, could allow Martinez to progress forward and cause major problems for Newcastle by breaking up their play.
While Martinez might not possess the attacking flair of Fernandes, he could allow Casemiro to push up to make up for what his side would lack without the United captain.
However, Casemiro is the key to letting Martinez roam more freely at Old Trafford on Friday and allow United a more dominant press from the midfield.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
