Casemiro And Christian Eriksen Finally Provide Manchester United A Stable Midfield Axis

It was a positive return for Manchester United in their last home game of 2022 as they dismantled Nottingham Forest with relative ease.

Three goals from three different scorers set the tone well heading into their final match of the calendar year against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

While the goals were all taken very well, it was the midfield duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen who stole the show.

As every Manchester United fan will know, their midfield has been deprived of quality and reliability for the best part of a decade. At too many times has it languished season to season, allowing teams to get the better of them regularly.

Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the axis of Scott McTominay and Fred was used nine times out of 10, which alienated Donny van de Beek from the team and caused him to go out on loan to Everton.

McTominay and Fred are predominantly more box-to-box and advanced players, negating their defensive duties which did not bode well when pressed high and enthusiastically. At too many times under the Norwegian’s regime would the pair get overrun in midfield and be on the back foot attempting to find some structure and shape.

But with the two new arrivals of Casemiro and Eriksen, Manchester United’s fans have seen their fortunes changes. Along with the coaching for new boss Erik Ten Hag, the Red Devils are having far more stability in the middle of the pitch.

Against Nottingham Forest, in the club’s first game back since the World Cup, Casemiro was the standout player and received non-stop adulation throughout. The Brazil international made 87 passes, of which 13 were into the final third, seven recoveries, three tackles and one assist at the death which put the last nail into Forest’s coffin.

It was fair to say that Casemiro was everywhere. As soon as Manchester United lost possession and Steve Cooper’s side were looking to breakaway, Casemiro was there to halt them in their tracks at the first opportunity. His spatial awareness and reading of the game is second-to-none, which is why Ten Hag is seeing his side dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game on a more regular basis.

Manchester United might have had to pay £60 million to prize Casemiro away from Real Madrid, but the five-time Champions League winner has slotted in as perfectly as any manager could wish for. He might be 30 years of age, but his performances suggest that he will be operating at the top level for years to come.

Alongside Casemiro is Eriksen, who is able to drive further forward thanks to the sturdiness of his partner and understanding between the two of them. Another incredibly intelligent player, the Denmark international has chipped in with five assists, which is taking the pressure of Bruno Fernandes as the only midfield creator in the team.

On a free transfer, Eriksen has to be one of Manchester United’s most prudent and sensible signings since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. A ready-made PremierPINC
League star, the midfielder has been a masterstroke in helping United transition into their attacks and release the ball quickly into the channels.

There will be a discussion to bring in another midfielder given the ages of the two international players occupying the starting positions, but it is clear that Ten Hag is settled with Casemiro and Eriksen for the time being.

The two combine extremely well and have forged a fantastic relationship in a matter of months. With Ten Hag having more contact time with the players as the season goes on, Manchester United have a reason to be excited and hopeful of the future.