Casemiro's decline is Manchester United's burning wound

Casemiro's fortunes at Manchester United appear to have taken a significant dip following his highly anticipated arrival at the club. Despite early success that included inspiring Manchester United to their first trophy in six years with a Carabao Cup win, the Brazilian midfielder's subsequent decline has raised concerns.

The decline has been noticeable in various aspects of his game. For instance, his defensive performance, which was previously considered excellent, has seen a significant drop in key metrics. Casemiro is making fewer tackles and interceptions, winning fewer duels, and is struggling to regain possession as effectively as in previous seasons.

Opponents are dribbling past him with regularity, and Manchester United's opponents have been capitalizing on this vulnerability. This decline in his defensive contributions, combined with Manchester United's evolving playing style under Erik Ten Hag, has exposed Casemiro further.

The Dutchman's tactical shift towards a higher and more aggressive pressing game has resulted in a higher start distance, indicating that Manchester United's defence pushes higher up the pitch. This change requires Casemiro to cover more ground and meet increased physical demands, which has been a challenge given his lower sprinting statistics.

At almost 32 years old, Casemiro's age and extensive career workload might be starting to affect his performance. His drop in key metrics when compared to other No. 6 midfielders at top Premier League clubs highlights the concerns around his contributions. Furthermore, Casemiro's performance with the ball, including his passing accuracy and ball retention, has been subpar. He loses possession more frequently, which raises questions about his role in providing control in possession.

The next steps for Casemiro are uncertain. His absence from Manchester United's upcoming match indicates that Ten Hag might be considering alternatives. Whether Casemiro can regain his form and prove his doubters wrong remains to be seen. With a lengthy contract still in place, his situation is a growing conundrum for Manchester United as the transformative signing starts to pose longer-term challenges.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 9

Saturday

14.30: (1.37) Liverpool (5.60) Everton (8.50)

17.00: (2.50) Bournemouth (3.45) Wolverhampton (2.95)

17.00: (1.90) Brentford (3.50) Burnley (4.20)

17.00: (1.45) Man.City (4.60) Brighton (6.75)

17.00: (1.50) Newcastle (4.30) Crystal Palace (7.75)

17.00: (1.70) Nott.Forest (3.60) Luton (5.40)

19.30: (3.10) Chelsea (3.50) Arsenal (2.40)

22.00: (7.50) Sheffield Utd (4.60) Man.Utd. (1.42)

Sunday

18.30: (1.95) Aston Villa (3.70) West Ham (4.10)

Monday

22.00: (1.55) Tottenham (4.20) Fulham (5.90)

***odds are subject to change***