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Midfield has been a major concern for Manchester United Erik ten Hag with Casemiro underperforming in the new season as well, forcing him to tweak his tactics.
The Brazilian has not started since last month’s Liverpool encounter with the manager preferring a partnership of Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen in the middle of the pitch.
What the duo lack in physicality and pace, they make up in terms of passing and after a difficult last season, the Dane’s fortunes have completely transformed.
In the previous season, the former Tottenham man started only 14 games and even complained to the manager about his lack of minutes.
Eriksen’s importance has increased
Ten Hag had countered by saying Mainoo’s emergence meant both players could not be accommodated in the lineup. The manager has been forced to change his tune with Eriksen already starting six games this term.
But despite his renaissance, there are currently no plans of offering the Denmark international a new contract with his current deal ending at the end of the current campaign.
And as per former United chief scout Mick Brown, the Red Devils are already lining up a list of potential replacements for the passmaster and will start their hunt for a replacement as early as January.
The 20-time English league champions did strengthen in the middle of the park by recruiting Manuel Ugarte but he is a very different type of player as compared to the Dane.
Following Scott McTominay’s departure, the Old Trafford side lack a creative presence in midfield who has the energy to run from box-to-box. That is what they will be looking for as Eriksen’s time at the club comes to a close.
“I think they needed another midfielder even before this news,” Brown told Football Insider. “And I’ve been told they have already started looking in that department.
United eyeing a replacement
“To be fair to him, Eriksen is a very good passer of the ball and a great technician, but he’s not the box-to-box type United need in there. He’s always a very honest professional, but he’s past his sell-by date.
“They want to bring in somebody with legs who can support Kobbie Mainoo in the middle. Ugarte came in during the summer but he’s a similar type to Casemiro who wants to sit in front of the defence, they need a box-to-box player.
“Everybody knows they need more bodies in midfield, and they know that too that’s why they’re looking. But, with Eriksen probably now leaving, that has become even more important and I’d expect them to step up their efforts to find a replacement.”
Whether United can land an appropriated replacement in January remains to be seen. Also, if their dire form continues and they miss out on Champions League football yet again, INEOS will find it hard to bring in elite players.
Feature image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
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