Ruben Amorim’s Tottenham Hotspur side made the journey to north London this weekend for a Premier League clash with Manchester United, a match that saw the Red Devils struggle with significant injury issues affecting their first-team squad. United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, faced a difficult challenge heading into the game, as his midfield options were severely depleted due to injuries to key players.
Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, and Toby Collyer were all unavailable for selection, leaving ten Hag with limited resources in the middle of the park. This injury crisis meant that United had to make do with a patched-up midfield, and the absence of these players only added to the team’s ongoing struggles this season. As a result, ten Hag’s already thin squad was stretched even further, making their performance against Spurs all the more crucial.
One player who has notably been struggling to find his form is Casemiro, the 32-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder who once excelled in the heart of Real Madrid’s midfield. However, since arriving at United, Casemiro has failed to replicate the kind of dominant performances that made him one of the best in the world. Under ten Hag, he has found himself slipping down the pecking order, with the manager opting for other midfielders in key matches.
Casemiro’s performance against Spurs reflected his ongoing struggles. Despite his wealth of experience, the defensive midfielder looked increasingly exposed and off the pace as the game progressed. In the 2024-25 season, he has scored just three goals in 24 matches for United, which is far from the impact many expected from a player of his caliber. His inability to control the midfield and break up opposition attacks has been a significant issue for United, and this was evident in their match against Tottenham.
Heading into the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Casemiro had made 10 Premier League starts in 14 appearances. But even with his consistent selection, he has failed to provide the kind of leadership and defensive solidity that United so desperately needs in the middle of the park. His lack of mobility and sharpness have raised questions about his long-term role at the club, especially given his poor form in recent months.
In the match itself, Casemiro was deployed alongside Bruno Fernandes in the midfield, but the pairing was ineffective. The Spurs midfield dominated possession and pressed high, exposing United’s midfield duo. Casemiro was often left vulnerable, struggling to cope with the pace and intensity of the game. His inability to assert himself in the crucial midfield battle was a major factor in United’s lackluster performance.
The defensive midfielder, once seen as an impenetrable force in the Premier League, now appeared more a shadow of his former self. Spurs took advantage of United’s weakened midfield, controlling the tempo and dictating the flow of the match. Casemiro’s struggles, coupled with United’s overall disjointed performance, saw them fall short once again, with Spurs securing a 1-0 win.
For ten Hag, the situation is becoming increasingly complicated. With key players injured and others, like Casemiro, underperforming, the manager is running out of options to address the team’s ongoing issues. The match against Spurs served as another reminder of the work that needs to be done to turn United’s fortunes around. As the season progresses, ten Hag will need to find solutions, both in terms of tactical adjustments and player performances, if he hopes to get his team back on track.
Leave a Reply