Manchester City won the treble last season but that wouldn’t have been possible if Erling Haaland and Rodri had underperformed.
Haaland was the leading goalscorer across Europe’s top five leagues and Rodri was the best defensive midfielder in the world, and lifting the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League simply wouldn’t have happened without them.
Any team will struggle without their best players excelling and it’s no coincidence City have suffered three consecutive domestic defeats for the first time in years when Haaland’s goals have stopped and Rodri has been suspended.
Casemiro has not looked like himself and he’s been one step behind in every phase of play. There are glaring holes in the midfield that weren’t there previously and he needs to get back to his best after the international break.
United need Rashford and Casemiro to deliver and their substitutions on Saturday sent a clear message.
United were trailing 1-0 and replacing Rashford in similar circumstances last season would have been booed. The forward was undroppable and just a few months later, he looks like a different player.
Casemiro, who cheaply lost the ball for Brentford’s goal, was also brought off in that game and he didn’t even make the second half.
The Brazilian was hooked at the interval and replaced by Christian Eriksen for tactical reasons. “I wanted more football,” Ten Hag said after the game. “One who brings passing, distribution, link-up play. So I thought bring Christian Eriksen for Case.”it would have been a shock to see Casemiro replaced at the break last season, but it was completely understandable and the right decision against Brentford, which highlights how poor he’s been in the last few weeks.
Casemiro has not looked like himself and he’s been one step behind in every phase of play. There are glaring holes in the midfield that weren’t there previously and he needs to get back to his best after the international break.
United need Rashford and Casemiro to deliver and their substitutions on Saturday sent a clear message.