Manchester United have been forced into a position change which might need to continue this weekend.
Speaking after the win over Sheffield United, manager Erik ten Hag said he did not expect any of the absent centre-backs to return against Burnley this coming weekend.
This means we are likely to see more Casemiro at centre-back, partnering an in-form Harry Maguire.
While the last 20 minutes plus extra-time against Coventry weren’t pretty, Casemiro has not been a total disaster in the position.
Five goals conceded in two games might suggest otherwise, but how many can fairly be attributed to him?
Andre Onana‘s error for the opening goal against Sheffield United, the penalty Aaron Wan-Bissaka conceded at Wembley, or the wicked deflection, none of those can be attributed as anywhere near Casemiro’s fault.
Casemiro performance praised
The Brazilian appeared to largely cope well against an unambitious Sheffield United side in midweek.
Speaking to ESPN FC, former Premier League centre-back Frank Leboeuf voiced his positive opinion on the Manchester United star’s efforts at the position.
He said: “He has something there. He understands, and he anticipates, and he is very good.”
Manchester United will hope to have more centre-backs available for the FA Cup final against Manchester City, and the Premier League clash with Arsenal in May, for instance. Those are the type of games where Casemiro could be exposed at the position.
Casemiro played at centre-back against Burnley before
Against Burnley this weekend, Manchester United should not fear about having to play Casemiro at centre-back again.
And that’s not just due to the last two games. Casemiro actually played at centre-back last season against Burnley.
This was in the Carabao Cup fourth round in December 2022, amid, yes, another centre-back crisis, partly due to injury, and also partly owing to World Cup related absences, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez both playing in the final.
Casemiro had a comfortable game that night, with Manchester United keeping a clean sheet.
Burnley are fighting for their lives amid the threat of relegation right now, and this Manchester United side will always give opponents a chance, but there should be some confidence that Casemiro won’t stand out as a weak link.