Another week, another case of job done for Manchester United, with substitute Benjamin Sesko’s latest strike off the bench propelling Michael Carrick‘s side to a fifth win in six Premier League games against Everton on Monday night.
For the second match running, the Slovenian striker stepped up to secure a positive result for the Red Devils, with the trip to the London Stadium having been another stodgy and turgid affair earlier this month.
After the highs of free-flowing football against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, it’s all gone a little stale of late, albeit with Carrick’s men still marching on in pursuit of Champions League qualification.
The Old Trafford side continue to pick up results, yet the manner of the performances hasn’t been overly convincing of late, ensuring changes might need to be made for this weekend’s clash with Crystal Palace.
Sesko, fresh from his latest late heroics, is in line for a first start under Carrick, although changes could be needed elsewhere, not least in midfield.
Why Casemiro could now be replaced after Everton win
It’s been a season of resurgence for Casemiro at Man United, with the ageing Brazilian having been a mainstay under both Ruben Amorim and now Carrick, starting every game under the latter in recent weeks.
There have been the highs of his opener against Fulham, and Man of the Match display in the derby, with the 34-year-old at the heart of a revived midfield unit, alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes.
That said, Monday’s narrow win over the Toffees didn’t see Casemiro perform at his peak, with it looking as if the ex-Real Madrid man could benefit from dropping to the bench against the Eagles.
Out of contract this summer and already set to depart, the experienced midfielder has remained so influential, although this was not his finest hour, proving particularly errant on the ball after losing possession 20 times against David Moyes’ men.
The Brazil skipper did produce two key passes, although recorded a pass accuracy rate of just 79%, with the man alongside him, Mainoo, boasting a far superior 96% pass rate by contrast.
|
Casemiro vs Everton |
|
|---|---|
|
Stat |
Record |
|
Touches |
105 |
|
Pass accuracy |
79% |
|
Key passes |
2 |
|
Dribbles |
1/1 |
|
Possession lost |
20 |
|
Ground duels |
7/12 |
|
Aerial duels |
3/10 |
|
Dribbled past |
3 |
|
Fouls |
1 |
|
Carries |
22 |
Worryingly too, Casemiro was also dribbled past on three occasions, and while recent weeks and months have disproved the myth that his legs have gone, his waning physical capacity might still be of concern.
Indeed, with Palace and Adam Wharton on the agenda, a player whom Casemiro looked “haunted” up against back in November, it could be time for a change.
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Such is the lack of midfield depth at Old Trafford, amid Mason Mount’s latest injury setback, the only other senior option available to Carrick is Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan is now firmly on the periphery, however, having not started any of the last six games.
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If Carrick is to look for a wildcard alternative to Casemiro in front of the back four, he could opt to thrust young Ayden Heaven into the fold in something of a new role, with the teenager previously lining up as a midfielder during his time in Arsenal’s youth ranks.
Signed from the Gunners for just £1m back in January 2025, the 19-year-old has impressed in flashes over the past 12 months or so, notably enjoying a purple patch in Amorim’s final days, including his statement showing against Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
That was followed by his lapse of concentration at Elland Road and early own goal at Turf Moor, with the towering centre-back having not started since, firmly usurped by Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and now Leny Yoro in the defensive packing order.
With no European or cup action on the agenda, Heaven has largely been reduced to a watching brief for much of the campaign, reduced to mere late cameos since Carrick took charge.
In need of game time then, the promising Englishman could be thrust in in place of Casemiro, with his impressive stature and ball-carrying quality making him a worthy option for that deep-lying midfield berth.
Indeed, analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson previously suggested during his Arsenal days that Heaven “is a midfielder, not a centre-back“, while he was also noted as having a “Paul Pogba-esque swagger” in his youth, as per his grassroots football coach Terry Bobie.
That comparison to the World Cup-winning Frenchman is clear to see, with Heaven boasting the power and poise to be able to breeze past opponents, routinely seen carrying the ball forward from deep when operating as a centre-back or left-sided centre-back.
Those traits should make him perfect to slot in ahead of the backline too, and with Casemiro previously, and infamously, struggling up against Palace, now might be the ideal time for a left-field tweak.
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