April 26th 2024.
Recently, there has been a shift in Manchester United's defensive strategy, with Brazilian player Casemiro stepping in to fill the gap at centre-back. This move, suggested by manager Erik ten Hag, has actually had some unexpected benefits for the team. In fact, Ten Hag believes that Casemiro's presence in the defence has improved the side's build-up play.
The Red Devils have been faced with a string of injuries to key players, particularly in their defence. The absence of players like Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Jonny Evans has left a gaping hole in their backline. To make matters worse, even Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia are currently sidelined. This has forced Casemiro to move back into central defence alongside Harry Maguire, a position he has adapted to quite well. In fact, Ten Hag has gone as far as saying that the veteran player has enhanced United's ability to play out from the back.
In an interview with MUTV, Ten Hag was asked if Casemiro's presence at centre-back has helped with the team's build-up play. He responded with a nod and said, "Especially when it's Casemiro! He is magnificent on the ball, always finding the right positions and making the right decisions. Everyone can see that he is a great player and he really contributes to our building-up play."
While Casemiro is expected to continue in the centre-back role for the upcoming game against Burnley at Old Trafford, it may not be long before he can return to his preferred position in midfield. As some of the injured players start to make their way back onto the pitch, Ten Hag is hopeful that Casemiro will be able to move back to his usual spot in the midfield.
Casemiro and Harry Maguire have formed a solid partnership in defence, and their understanding and communication have been key to United's recent success. When asked if some of the long-term absentees could return before the end of the season, Ten Hag replied, "I think so. Some players have already returned to the pitch, like Licha [Lisandro] Martinez and Luke Shaw. I don't think Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane are too far away either. And we can't forget about Jonny Evans! So yes, there are players returning and I think that's exactly what we need as we enter the final, tough weeks of the season."
Aside from their improved defensive strategy, Manchester United has also been impressive in front of goal, scoring in every game since the start of the year. Ten Hag credits their excellent scoring record to the team's hard work on their attacking game. He explains, "We have worked a lot on our attacking play, focusing on decision-making and movements. And now we are starting to see those connections on the pitch, making it very difficult for our opponents. We also utilize the creativity and intuition of our players, what we like to call the X factor. When we play as a team, without selfishness and egos, we are truly connected and create a lot of chances. Luckily, we also have players who are capable of converting those chances into goals."
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