Erik ten Hag could be about to reveal Manchester United's summer transfer plans

After it was confirmed that Casemiro had pulled out of the Brazil squad on the eve of Manchester United's 4-3 win over Liverpool, Erik ten Hag was left with an obvious decision to make.

Despite the former Real Madrid man's struggles this season, he remains an imposing figure in United's midfield. He is their destroyer-in-chief and has done far more good than bad since swapping the Spanish capital for Old Trafford in August 2022.

He quickly established himself as a fans' favourite in his debut season in England, producing a series of outstanding performances. He filled a gaping hole in United's midfield that had been vacant for years, providing them with some much-needed defensive nous.

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Such was Casemiro's importance in the defensive-midfield berth, United often struggled without him last term, lacking a like-for-like replacement within the squad. It was, therefore, no surprise when Ten Hag made it his mission to add another defensive midfielder to the ranks last summer, swooping for Sofyan Amrabat.

Less than 12 months after playing a starring role in Morocco's shock run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Amrabat arrived at Old Trafford on loan from Fiorentina, with the deal featuring an option for United to sign him permanently this summer. With a maximum of 12 games remaining in United's season, that option is highly unlikely to be triggered.

He was left out of the starting XI in Casemiro's absence against Liverpool, perhaps planting the final nail in the coffin of what is set to be a very short United career. Ten Hag chose Scott McTominay to join forces with Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes in midfield against Jurgen Klopp's men, and his decision was justified within 10 minutes when McTominay opened the scoring.

Though Mainoo, McTominay and Fernandes each produced laudable performances in the FA Cup quarter-final classic, United's midfield, as a collective, was far too open and exposed. Casemiro's defensive presence, regardless of his regression this season, was missed.

Saturday's trip to Brentford marks the beginning of United's sprint to the finish line and every remaining fixture is going to be of great significance, with the Reds locked in a three-horse race with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur to secure Champions League qualification. Nine points currently separate Villa in fourth and United in sixth.

Following the win over Liverpool, confidence within the United camp will be high, meaning Ten Hag could refrain from making too many changes, if any at all. The midfield department, though, is likely to be at the centre of the debate.

Mainoo, despite demonstrating that he is becoming a progressive, forward-thinking player, might be tasked with operating as the No.6 again, allowing McTominay to get forward in support of Fernandes. Mainoo and Fernandes are guaranteed starters in United's midfield, meaning McTominay will be vying with Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Amrabat for the last remaining spot, provided Casemiro is deemed unavailable this weekend, which is likely after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring issue.

Of the quartet competing to slot in alongside Mainoo and Fernandes, McTominay is the most likely winner, despite not being a defensive midfielder. Amrabat is the logical solution in Casemiro's absence, but his omission against Liverpool suggests Ten Hag is not in favour of selecting him.

Eriksen has barely played this calendar year and Mount has not started a match since November, only making his return from a long-term injury lay-off against Liverpool. Mount was added to United's ranks last summer on a long-term deal, but he could soon be in direct competition with Mainoo for the No.8 spot.

There is next to no chance of Amrabat being signed permanently, Eriksen's lack of minutes in recent months means a summer exit is likely and McTominay, despite his goals this season, could be sold as a way of generating money to help balance the books. Mount is the only member of the quartet who is probably guaranteed to still be at Old Trafford next season.

Taking that into account, if Ten Hag elects to pick McTominay again at Brentford, it will almost certainly spell the end of Amrabat's United career and possibly Eriksen's, too. Mount might have to play a waiting game to get a firm crack of the whip, though he may be McTominay's biggest competitor in the coming weeks.