Manchester United hope the imminent addition of Casemiro will allow them to match the leading sides in the Premier League, but against Liverpool on Monday they will have to make do without him.
Erik ten Hag’s side are closing in on a deal for the Real Madrid midfielder, but he still needs a visa and to pass a medical before he is allowed to take the field for his prospective new club.
Adding the 30-year-old to their side would allow United to deploy a similar 4-3-3 formation to the one used by City and Liverpool, with Casemiro used as a deep-lying anchor to do the dirty work and two others tasked with adding creativity and energy around him.
READ MORE: Casemiro agrees terms with United
Even if he wasn't the type of midfielder Ten Hag had targeted this summer, it sums up what a mess United are in because, thanks to their poor forward planning, they might have stumbled upon the midfielder they actually needed.
The blueprint could be outlined with United’s line up to face Southampton a week on Saturday, but before that comes the visit of Liverpool to Old Trafford and a chance for either side to kickstart their campaign.
In preparation for the match this week, Donny van de Beek and Scott McTominay were seen working together during a pressing exercise at training on Wednesday. Last weekend, the pair watched on as the midfield axis of Christian Eriksen and Fred were torn apart by Brentford, a mistake that can't be repeated on Monday night.
What is clear is that something needs to change, but the visit of Liverpool could in fact be the perfect opponent for a United side that is still better suited to the underdog tag and playing on the break.
United’s struggles in the opening two matches of the season have come when Ten Hag’s side were expected to dominate proceedings, with the onus on them to take the game to their opponents and breakdown well-drilled defences.
Given their limitations in midfield, this wasn’t possible. Fred and McTominay don’t offer enough creativity from deep, but replacing either of them with Christian Eriksen instead leaves them even more vulnerable to counter-attacks and makes them even easier to play through.
But on Monday night, the tables might turn. Ten Hag is understood to be favouring an expansive approach against Jurgen Klopp’s side, but the best chance of a positive result might come by being far more conservative.
Of course, that sums up just how much United have fallen that they might look to snatch a result on the counter-attack when they are the home side, but with the pressure already on the new manager, it might be the best advised tactic.
As such, it could in fact be the best opportunity to use the derided ‘McFred’ axis, with the two mobile midfielders well equipped to play matches in which their side is out of possession.
If Liverpool turn up and begin to dictate possession, then there will be less need for United to have creativity from deep and instead their game plan will instead focus on harassing their opponents, pressing with intensity and looking to force errors and overturn possession.
Klopp’s desire for a high line also means that adopting a counter-attacking approach would be best advised, with United’s fast forwards capable of exploiting the space left behind, particularly when the two opposing full-backs bomb up the pitch.
After two defeats in two games, any end result will justify the means of getting it for United on Monday night, even if it means embracing their underdog status.
Casemiro gives United a new look if he signs this summer, but to get a positive result against Liverpool, they might be better off sticking with what they know already.
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