Manchester United trialled a new partnership in midfield in the FA Cup fourth round, and saw immediate benefit.
It is tough to read too much into Manchester United’s win against lower league opposition, but there was one very positive takeaway.
And this was the blossoming midfield partnership Manchester United fans had been waiting to see, with Casemiro playing alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
Casemiro had been out injured in recent weeks, leaving Mainoo with a rotating cast of midfield partners, most often Scott McTominay or Christian Eriksen.
Mainoo benefits immediately
It was no coincidence that Kobbie Mainoo scored his first Manchester United goal in a game in which he had Casemiro alongside him.
Yes, it was against a League Two side, yet purely in terms of positioning, Mainoo was able to get further forward to attempt his shot at goal, than he otherwise would have been.
When you have a five-times Champions League winner anchoring the midfield, any player’s task becomes easier. Just ask Toni Kroos or Luka Modric.
In matches where he has partnered Eriksen or McTominay, Mainoo has had to sit deepest. With Casemiro, there is more freedom to get forward.
This is a boost to Mainoo’s own development long-term, and also to Manchester United in the short-term.
Mainoo’s better position might be in the deeper role, in years to come, but it is important he gets the opportunity to develop in a vary of midfield roles now, and Casemiro can enable him to do that.
New first choice partnership for United
It will be interesting to see if manager Erik ten Hag sticks with the same duo this week for the Premier League game at Wolves.
Both McTominay and Eriksen will be fresh, yet Casemiro and Mainoo are the pairing Ten Hag wants to build around.
Mainoo’s age means he won’t play every match between now and the end of the season, and Sofyan Amrabat is due to return from international duty too, but the teenager currently warrants his place in the team.
Getting Casemiro in alongside him is crucial, and their pairing is off to a strong start – with far tougher tests to come.
READ MORE: Join the conversation with the United in Focus Whatsapp group
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
