According to manager Erik ten Hag, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Bruno Fernandes will play together in midfield against Brighton & Hove Albion in the crucial FA Cup semi-final tie.
Although the three midfielders are the club’s finest players in the starting XI, they have hardly played together in the second half of the season. Eriksen resumed playing for the first team after suffering an ankle injury in January. The Danish midfielder has started the last two games.
Meanwhile, Casemiro has been suspended numerous times. He has received unfortunate red cards, which have cost the club a lot of matches.
Although Fernandes has been United’s busiest midfielder, he was suspended from playing in Europe and missed the team’s midweek 3-0 loss to Sevilla. And now, Ten Hag has revealed that Casemiro, Eriksen, and Fernandes will all be on the pitch against Brighton. As reported by the club’s official website, he said:
“Yeah, of course. I’ve said before, one of the things is that we didn’t have the opportunity so often to play the same team.”
“Also the midfield department, and also other lads in the front line, for instance, didn’t play that often the same because we had injuries, suspensions, and so we were not in a position to do that.”
“You have to take decisions and [a] tactical approach or personal approach. And the numbers, when you miss players, you have to find solutions.
“And then you look at what is the best solution for the moment, and you have to shelter, but also of course look at the long term as well.”
“And at this moment, when you play [a] semi-final, you have only one opportunity so you’re looking for the best team at that moment.”
Sevilla humbled United by a 5-2 aggregate scoreline in the quarter-final round of the Europa League. This resulted in their elimination from the European competition.
Hence, it won’t be an easy task for United to play against one of the nation’s most dynamic attacking teams, but Ten Hag will want a good response from his men today.
United must display strong defensive play throughout the FA Cup semi-final against the south coast team because they have developed well under manager Roberto de Zerbi.
We believe the Red Devils cannot afford a sluggish start against the Seagulls and United must score first to put pressure on their opponents.
Marcus Rashford would lead the line following his appearance against Sevilla. The return of Fernandes following his suspension is a significant plus point as United struggled with creativity against the Spanish side.
Casemiro and Eriksen will face a tough task against Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister. The former will hope that he avoids another card in this match.
