[Lecland07]

I don't know why some people are acting like it is ridiculous to question why Casemiro isn't starting. The fitness excuse is odd as Casemiro has played more games than Antony.

Some are pointing out we have played well so no need to change, but we have hardly been scintillating. Casemiro is still a massive improvement over the midfield. Even if we have played alright on the defensive defensive side, there is much room for improvement in every other manner, and that is through improving the quality of the players in the first team.

We hardly took it to Leicester, who have just been smashed by Brighton, and were pinned in our half for a long period by Southampton.

 

[Galactic]

Hope it’s a great performance and win, but I’ll take a good performance and a draw.

 

[RG77]

That is strange, Casemiro played the Supercup final and was training and playing with Real before the move. He lost fitness in a week? Integration doesn’t make much sense either, especially when you do start Anthony immediately and the alternative to Case is McT…

Ohh well, neutral in this so just hope for a good game.

 

[Superunknown]

Have to admit that I'm a little puzzled that Casemiro isn't starting. However, McTominay has played well in the last few games, so I can see why he's kept his position. I feel like as soon as McTominay's form drops, Casemiro will be in and that'll be that.

So, so excited for Antony.

Hope we feck them up.

 

[Chief123]

ETH saying one of Antony’s key attributes is his pressing which is needed against Arsenal.

 

[moses]

Casemiro should start right? Right?

If McTom is working well under instruction and playing well, then giving him a run is not the worst idea. The alternative is to sit him with Harry and CR7 in the out tray.

 

[bosnian_red]

Have to admit that I'm a little puzzled that Casemiro isn't starting. However, McTominay has played well in the last few games, so I can see why he's kept his position. I feel like as soon as McTominay's form drops, Casemiro will be in and that'll be that.

So, so excited for Antony.

Hope we feck them up.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Ten Hag said as much!

 

[GreatDane]

McTominay is playing well, why aren't people adult enough to admit it? He's doing fine and Casemiro isn't fit yet. IT's a logical and smart choice.

It doesn't fit their narrative.

 

[Fanatic 00237]

Ah the usual matchday thread...

Indeed. It’s fun reading the multiple meltdowns over the starting lineup today.

 

[Deery]

McTominay will have to have a big game to stop Odegaard, personally would have played both Casemiro and him.

 

[kouroux]

Our team is solid these days but the lack of goals is still a serious problem. Predicting 1-1

 

[HookedOnAPhelan]

Fecking hate this team. Why are Ronaldo and Casemiro on the bench?! Absurd.

 

[TheReligion]

I don't know why some people are acting like it is ridiculous to question why Casemiro isn't starting. The fitness excuse is odd as Casemiro has played more games than Antony.

Some are pointing out we have played well so no need to change, but we have hardly been scintillating. Casemiro is still a massive improvement over the midfield. Even if we have played alright on the defensive defensive side, there is much room for improvement in every other manner, and that is through improving the quality of the players in the first team.

We hardly took it to Leicester, who have just been smashed by Brighton, and were pinned in our half for a long period by Southampton.

You do know that’s not the only reason why he’s not playing though? Ten Hag literally just explained it!

 

[Chief123]

Everyone having a meltdown over Mctominay starting over casemiro need to relax.

We all know Casemiro is much better but Mctominay has been in a purple patch last few games working in tandem with Eriksen. ETH is playing of his confidence hence why he’s started him again. Plenty of time for casemiro to come in.

I can just imagine the meltdown if casemiro started and we lost. People complaining why we changed a winning team.

 

[Holters]

Antony knows Ten Haags football. Casemiro does not. It's not as strange to bench him as someone makes out.

 

[avgp_1]

Antony is needed to have a go at their left side, its quite open in games.

 

[Member 125398]

8-2 United. Antony to score 10 but 2 get chalked off by VAR for being too sexy.

 

[Chief123]

ETH has also said he has a plan for countering Zinchenko taking up positions in central midfield. I’m guessing that plan is to keep Antony out wide and drag Zinchenko backwards.

 

[Mr Pigeon]

It's simple; Casemiro is undoubtedly a better player than McTominay BUT McTominay has trained under Ten Hag's system longer even if only for a few weeks. That defensive role in the middle of the pitch will make or break this game, so if Ten Hag still isn't 100% confident of Casemiro's understanding of his role under a Ten Hag system just yet then why are we complaining? Unless we're suddenly going to start distrusting the person who has almost immediately instilled a winning mentality and focus back into a side that's been shite for years.

 

[Redlyn]

Casemiro situation turning out like the VDB one.

He's been here 2 minutes.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Strange about Casemiro and even Rashford/Ronaldo. But oh well.....ETH knoes better

 

[Ole'sgunnarwin]

McTominay will have to have a big game to stop Odegaard, personally would have played both Casemiro and him.

Agree, this Arsenal side are lethal when they have space. I think it's a mistake. Odegaard looks better each time I see him. He's a big worry today.

 

[mitchmouse]

very worried because I can't remember the last time we won four consecutive PL games...

 

[Walrus]

I would’ve had Casemiro in for one of Eriksen/Bruno. Other than that, good lineup. Might be early for Antony to come in but Elanga and Ronaldo shouldn’t be starting, so with Martial still out, had to be done.

 

[Lecland07]

You do know that’s not the only reason why he’s not playing though? Ten Hag literally just explained it!

Yes, I did read that, but it is still odd that one of the best DMs in the world would struggle to fit in.

 

[Tincanalley]

This team will create chances

 

[NewYorkRed]

Antony must be chomping at the bits to have a go at Zinchenko

 

[wr8_utd]

Bruno is the captain so he's more unlikely to be dropped especially as he's not dropping stinkers and Scott has played well off late so he won't be dropped either. It's a matter of time before Casemiro starts though it does feel like he'd be ideal vs Arsenal.

 

[moses]

Casemiro situation turning out like the VDB one.

Tell me you're taking the piss?

 

[Carolina Red]

Indeed. It’s fun reading the multiple meltdowns over the starting lineup today.

Yes. I’ll never understand folks getting so worked up over a manager picking a team he train every day.

 

[Baneofthegame]

A winning side, with a 100 million euro signing the only addition. And you hate it. Why do you even watch football?

Because it’s easier to moan and be right if we lose, to be supportive and be wrong apparently.

Not to mention I’m hyped to see Antony and thought he would be on the bench today.

 

[GMoore23]

Casemiro not starting is mind boggling. He's match fit and even played in the Super Cup where he was named man of the match. Fecking Hell.

I don't think Antony even had a proper pre season and he's walked right in.

 

[Trequarista10]

Fair point, but why not add a youth player there for match day experience (Savage, Zidane etc), I get there was a game yesterday, ETH can stop that. Feels like having two goalkeepers is a total waste but it's also the most minor issue out there.

Savage and Zidane also played yesterday. There's little point pulling someone out of the U21 squad so they can be with the first team and be 9th sub on the bench in the situation where someone gets injured like VDB is.

I think sometimes we'll do so, if it's deemed the player has little to gain from playing U21s and more to gain from just being with the first team on match day even if they don't play. It's a fine balance, which takes into account how much playing time they've had recently, how often they have already travelled with the squad, how likely it is the manager would throw them on the pitch if they were on the bench anyway, and the U21 match in question. They played Liverpool yesterday, might have been different if it was Blackburn or something. Plus that same team played in the EFL trophy on Tuesday, so they had a whole week training together which is beneficial, rather than one day with the U21s, next day first team etc.

 

[mitchmouse]

Bruno is the captain so he's more unlikely to be dropped especially as he's not dropping stinkers and Scott has played well off late so he won't be dropped either. It's a matter of time before Casemiro starts though it does feel like he'd be ideal vs Arsenal.

fully expect Casemiro to start on Thursday night

 

[moses]

Casemiro not starting is mind boggling. He's match fit and even played in the Super Cup where he was named man of the match. Fecking Hell.

I don't think Antony even had a proper pre season and he's walked right in.

The manager explained it. You can stop the boggle.

 

[DJ_21]

He's been here 2 minutes.

Yes I get that… just hope we win. If we don’t then the questions will start flooding in…

 

[NewYorkRed]

Bruno is the captain so he's more unlikely to be dropped especially as he's not dropping stinkers and Scott has played well off late so he won't be dropped either. It's a matter of time before Casemiro starts though it does feel like he'd be ideal vs Arsenal.

Bruno is not going to be dropped because contrary to popular belief, he is still our most influential player.

 

[TheReligion]

Yes, I did read that, but it is still odd that one of the best DMs in the world would struggle to fit in.

Don’t think it’s odd.

Easier to play a forward than throw in someone who doesn’t yet fully know the system in the midfield battle.

I mentioned it before. Look what Conte did at Spurs (and was heavily praised actually). None of his new players played for the first few games. Also helps protect the player himself.

 

[mitchmouse]

for a moment I though Antony did the same stupid thing with shorts as the clown Barthez, but simply can't dress himself properly ha ha

 

[Fortitude]

I guess Ten Hag really wants Antony in right away, so makes sense not to also have Casemiro make his first start in case they're both not entirely ready.

Yeah, you can take a lot more risks with attackers - particularly wide ones - too, but if Casemiro isn’t fit, an error or two is putting the entire defence in jeopardy. As much as we want Casemiro to start, if ten Hag feels he’s not ready, it’s for good reason.