For so long Erik ten Hag was restricted for choice in midfield, the Manchester United manager will have a wealth of options at his disposal for his side's Europa League clash with Sevilla.
United welcome a fourth Spanish side of the season to Old Trafford on Thursday evening, having met Real Sociedad in the group stages before knockout ties against Barcelona and Real Betis. Injury news has dominated the build-up, with confirmation on Wednesday morning that Marcus Rashford would be out for a few weeks followed by news of Scott McTominay's absence.
But despite the latter's injury - which club sources insist is not too serious - Ten Hag will have more midfield options than ever before. Rashford's injury on Saturday somewhat overshadowed not only a good result but the return of Christian Eriksen, the Dane coming off the bench to end a spell of two-and-a-half months out with an ankle injury.
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Add to that the return of Casemiro - who has now served his domestic suspension but is eligible for European competition regardless - and the continued availability of Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Marcel Sabitzer, and the Dutchman is almost spoilt for choice.
Ten Hag's first-choice midfield was evident prior to the World Cup, with Casemiro the anchor behind Fernandes and Eriksen. The trio were almost ever-present when all fit, dovetailing perfectly.
"I think the balance in the midfield was good with Casemiro, Eriksen and Bruno," Ten Hag said on Wednesday when asked about the returning pair. "Casemiro the balance player, the line up player, Eriksen can support him but also go to the final part of the game, can create chances with key passes."
United fans have not been able to see the trio together since an FA Cup fourth round win over Reading at the end of January, while Casemiro has only been available intermittently. The Brazilian has seen red twice in the two months since, a three-game ban in February followed by his recent four-match domestic suspension.
Such has been Ten Hag's problems in midfield they acted swiftly to sign Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich in the final moments of the January window, while for the last two games Fernandes has played an unusual deeper role - albeit with great effect.
But with all those variations, United's midfield has lacked the balance described by Ten Hag on Wednesday. The Reds boss can reinstate his preferred unit once again and may start by doing so against Sevilla.
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