After a goalless Premier League stalemate at Sunderland, Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick confirmed that Casemiro will be fit for next week’s home clash with Nottingham Forest. This news offers a silver lining for fans who can now give the Brazilian a proper farewell, given his immense influence during four years at Old Trafford. Without him in the starting XI this season, United have failed to win any of their four league matches. At least they salvaged a point at the Stadium of Light.
Having won their previous three meetings, United were clearly second best against Régis Le Bris’ side. It was easy to sympathize with Sunderland’s boss, who expressed frustration that his team didn’t secure all three points. With Casemiro absent and his usual deputy Manuel Ugarte also missing—few at United believe the Uruguayan is a long-term fix anyway—Carrick faced a tactical dilemma. He could drop Kobbie Mainoo into the holding role, pairing him with skipper Bruno Fernandes or Mason Mount as a number eight, or give 19-year-old Tyler Fletcher his first senior start while leaving Mainoo in the more advanced position that had been so effective since his recall to the lineup after Ruben Amorim’s departure.
In reality, there was little choice. It had to be Mainoo and Mount, especially as Fernandes continues chasing an assist to match Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record of 20 in a single Premier League campaign. The result was a United performance that failed to register a single shot on target until stoppage time, when Matheus Cunha’s effort was saved by Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs. The hosts dominated possession, had more shots, and posted a higher expected goals (xG) figure. Le Bris noted his side had “more control.”
Carrick made five changes at the Stadium of Light, so United’s overall display cannot be blamed solely on one player’s absence. There is a general acknowledgment that the squad lacks depth in quality, and team selections like this expose that weakness. It is no secret that strengthening midfield is a summer priority. Nottingham Forest’s England international Elliot Anderson tops their wishlist, but Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott are also admired, all with clear Premier League experience.
Yet, as Le Bris highlighted when asked to compare Casemiro with his own veteran midfielder Granit Xhaka, players of that pedigree bring far more than what is visible on the pitch. “It is hard to quantify but they are so important,” he said. “On one side they have experience so they can manage the momentum and flow of the game even if it’s really emotional. But they are also great players. The level is important because of the way they manage the ball under pressure and the way they defend with their team-mates. Casemiro on one side and Granit on the other are not the most physical players in the league, in duels and so on, but they manage team-mates and the flow of the squad, and for that they are so important.”
This insight is valuable because it explains what United might need this summer and why simply recruiting a talented younger player may not provide all the answers. It also underscores why it might take two, or even three, players to offer the necessary versatility in selection—especially if Ugarte departs.
