Does Scott McTominay have Man Utd future despite Casemiro arrival?
Cameron Smith
- 23 Aug 2022 09:35 BST
- 3 min read
The signing of five-time Champions League winner Casemiro has created much optimism around Manchester United, with the Brazilian finally becoming the first acquisition made to address the club's issue in defensive midfield for several years.
The 30-year-old was presented to the Old Trafford crowd during Man Utd's 2-1 victory over Liverpool, which signalled the first Premier League win of the Erik ten Hag reign.
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While Casemiro watched from the stands due to not being registered in time for the fixture, Man Utd were able to inflict Liverpool's first league defeat since December 2021.
Although the former Real Madrid star wasn't available for selection, Ten Hag opted to use Scott McTominay in midfield, alongside Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.
Reports from 90min have suggested that Man Utd may look to offload the Scotland international following the arrival of Casemiro, with several clubs from the Premier League and Europe interested, but the win over Liverpool suggests McTominay could have a future at Man Utd under Ten Hag.
Although he was benched for the defeat against Brentford, McTominay was turned to at half-time in a bid to stop the Bees from running riot. With Lisandro Martinez the smallest centre-back in the division, McTominay's height is a major plus, and could be used throughout the season.
Casemiro himself brings a large physical presence, but Ten Hag may look to utilise the pair together against bigger teams, in order to negate the issue regarding Martinez's height at set-pieces.
McTominay preferred to Fred
Casemiro may have admitted that he's looking forward to being reunited with Brazil teammate Fred at Old Trafford, but McTominay was preferred to the former Shakhtar Donetsk man against Liverpool, with Fred on the bench from the start.
Of course, Casemiro could replace McTominay in the starting XI, but were Ten Hag to look for more defensive solidity, he could use the pair together in a double pivot.
While McTominay hasn't always impressed while in a Man Utd shirt, his display against Liverpool will have encouraged Ten Hag massively. The Scot put up 100% long ball accuracy, which helped United progress up the pitch quickly, as well as four tackles and interceptions, and two dribbles.
Fred or Eriksen may become the long-term partners for Casemiro, but McTominay certainly didn't do his chances of staying in the team any harm.
