Manchester United’s Struggles: Casemiro, Tactics, and a Wider Problem
Gary Neville has come to the defense of Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, who has faced criticism for his recent performances. Sports Buddy recently reported INEOS are looking at Joao Gomes as a potential replacement for the Brazilian veteran. Neville argues that Casemiro’s struggles are part of a larger issue at the club.
PROBLEM SOLVED!! INEOS agree Brazilian midfielder as Casemiro replacement for Manchester united
Casemiro and Jorginho: Pace Isn’t Everything
Neville highlights Jorginho’s success at Arsenal as an example. Despite not being known for his pace, Jorginho has thrived in Arsenal’s midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. This demonstrates that a lack of pace doesn’t necessarily prevent a player from excelling in the center of the park.
“Jorginho is a good example,” Neville said. “Jorginho can’t run – he’s better on the ball, but he can’t run and he was finished at Chelsea.”
“He goes to Arsenal, and he looks a beautiful player in that Arsenal midfield with Declan Rice on one side and [Martin] Odegaard on the other, with that centre back partnership behind him. So, you can play in that position and not run.”
Manchester United vs. Liverpool: A Tale of Two Teams
Neville believes that Manchester United’s struggles extend beyond individual players. He points to Liverpool’s success as a contrasting example. While Liverpool lacked a strong midfield presence at the beginning of the season, they were able to overcome this weakness through their overall playing style.
“There is a wider worry,” Neville said speaking to Sky Bet” The style of play is being questioned, [people are saying] the manager doesn’t know what he’s doing and it’s a graveyard [for players]. It is a rinse and repeat this, now, for four or five times. So, it’s a wider issue that exists.”
Neville questions whether Manchester United’s midfielders would struggle as much if they were playing under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
“Liverpool didn’t have any midfield at the start of the season,” Neville added. “They had Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliot at the club. They signed [Wataru] Endō – would you have swapped Endo for Casemiro and [Sofyan] Amrabat at the start of the season?”
Neville’s Take on Manchester United’s Midfield
Neville acknowledges that Manchester United have a group of decent midfielders, but argues that they are not performing to their potential within the current system.
“Jorginho has impressed for Premier League leaders Arsenal,” Neville said. “As players – as a five or a six [in a midfield formation]. And, you’ve got Christian Eriksen as well, so you’ve got five or six players in that midfield that I think are good players. They’re not the best, but they’re good players.”
“If you gave Jurgen Klopp in a stable Liverpool that six, and swapped that five from Liverpool into Manchester United, what do you think would happen? That’s my concern [that they’d be better at Liverpool]. Why is every dying on their feet at Old Trafford?”
With Manchester United facing a crucial run-in to the season, including a match against title-chasing Arsenal and the FA Cup final, questions remain about how to solve the team’s midfield woes.
