Casemiro boost for Ten Hag’s United

His impact in midfield has been far from that of last year. In fact, this season, Casemiro has only played twelve games. He missed most of the Champions League group stage and the last 11 league games. His last appearance was back on 1 November, when United were knocked out of the EFL Carabao Cup by Newcastle.

Now over his hamstring problems, the Brazilian returns to the squad for Sunday’s match against Tottenham at Old Trafford. Case is one of six players who are available again to Erik ten Hag: Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martínez, Christian Eriksen, Antony and Amad Diallo.

The manager spoke to the media on Friday to access the current state of affairs ahead of Sunday’s visit from Spurs.

Can you give us an injury update on which players could be back for the Spurs match?

I don’t know, what do you expect?! We have had a lot of injuries, so this week in training, the last couple of days, Licha Martinez training, Casemiro training, Luke Shaw training, so yeah, there are players returning. They are coming in for selection for Sunday. Antony. So Eriksen was ill in the week, he will return. Antony will return. They will return as well. Amad will return. We have more choice in this moment in the squad to put out a starting XI and to create a bench that is stronger.

Does recovering so many players come as a relief?

They are returning... I think you are a step ahead. So when I talk about Licha Martinez returning, Casemiro returning, for instance. But they were a long time away. Mason Mount will return but it take a little bit longer, Tyrell Malacia will return as well; Victor Lindelöf is also on his way back but it then still, it will take some weeks and takes time to get back to match fitness. I’m not sure the word ‘relieved’ is the right word, first it has to happen - that they are back. but it’s positive that they are back training and back to the team, then to 100% match fitness.

What is the team's mentality for the next games?

Sunday’s game is the most important and I don’t look any further than that. Of course we have to organize. We know that we have to preparing for the second half of the season and thinking about what is best for the players; we have a group of players who are about to take the last step to match fitness. They will need a different [training] program to the rest - those who were always available and had it tough in 2023. The approach will be a little bit different in the coming weeks, going into the next FA Cup round.

What do you expect from Tottenham?

It is definitely a different team than last season. I think it was a really big compliment, the way they played. Postecoglou has changed the atmosphere; they are very proactive and it’s very enjoyable to watch them. They are very dynamic, very proactive - and they combine it with good results.

But also, when we played them over there, and I think we can take belief out of that; in the first, I would say, 35 minutes, we dominated them for the first 35 minutes. We should have taken the lead, but we didn’t. We have to make our own luck, take control the game and finish our chances.