Having conceded a combined total of ten goals in their last two meetings with Manchester City, you could forgive Manchester United's supporters for being slightly jittery on their way to Old Trafford tomorrow lunchtime.
After being swept aside with ease at the Etihad Stadium last March, losing 4-1 under Ralf Rangnick, United were on the receiving end of another battering in October, being hammered 6-3 in Erik ten Hag's first experience of the Manchester derby. Inspired by the brilliance of Erling Haaland, the Reds found themselves 4-0 down by half-time and then 6-1 behind before two Anthony Martial goals put a slightly more respectable look on the scoreline.
City have made mincemeat of United in their most recent meetings, winning each of the last three without the Reds putting up as much as a fight. They have found it all too easy and United, this time around, simply cannot afford to roll over and be beaten black and blue.
READ MORE: Four reasons why United can be optimistic about beating City
This time, however, things are different. Or at least they certainly feel it. United head into tomorrow's highly anticipated showdown with confidence flowing through their veins after a run of eight successive victories in league and cup. Tuesday night's 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals has put them on the brink of a trip to Wembley next month, meaning there is a feeling of optimism surrounding Old Trafford. Confidence is sky-high, both on the pitch and in the stands.
As well as being on an eight-game winning run, United have also lost just one of their last 18 matches since being beaten by City on October 2, meaning significant strides have been made by Ten Hag's side in a relatively short space of time. The Reds have found consistency, have developed their understanding of how Ten Hag wants them to play and have also benefitted from Casemiro's influence in midfield.
The Brazilian international, snapped up from Real Madrid for an initial £60million fee back in August, did not start the 6-3 reverse to City, instead being brought off the bench after 59 minutes, by which time United were already 4-1 down and the away end had significantly emptied. Of all the criticism United and Ten Hag faced in the aftermath of that defeat, it was the Dutchman's decision to not start Casemiro that contributed to most of it.
The Brazilian had been at Old Trafford for just over a month and had already made four substitute appearances and one start in the Europa League, meaning many supporters felt he was ready to earn his first Premier League start against City. United, just as the scoreline suggested, lacked bite and a world-class presence in midfield at the Etihad, meaning Ten Hag's refusal to throw Casemiro in from the start sparked plenty of justified questions.
But since starting on the bench against Pep Guardiola's side, Casemiro has started every league game since, making an astonishing impact in the process. He has given the Reds the defensive nous and bite that they were sorely lacking in midfield, as well as bringing a winning mentality to the table.
He has struck a blossoming partnership with Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes in the engine room, so much so that the discontent towards United's midfield last season is now nothing more than a distant memory. His impact has been so impressive that some United supporters, during a recent social media exchange, were discussing how the club goes about replacing him when the time comes.
His performances have been the bedrock of United's upturn in fortunes since being blown away by City, so much so that the Reds have not lost a single Premier League game when he has started alongside Eriksen and Fernandes in midfield. Although his primary responsibility is to sit deep and mop up any opposition attacks, his wide-range of passing and forward-thinking play has also been eye-catching.
Against City, though, he might not be able to get forward as much as he has been doing. He is expected to be busy defensively and will no doubt be tasked with the responsibility of trying to stop Kevin De Bruyne from weaving his magic in central areas.
That, though, is the primary reason why United signed him: to stop opposition players from dictating proceedings and getting a free ride. If Casemiro gets anywhere close to the levels he has produced in recent months, United stand a very good chance of claiming three points and the local bragging rights.
READ NEXT:
