Casemiro isn't the only player Manchester United have failed to replace

Erik ten Hag has insisted that Manchester United have been able to cope without Casemiro this season, but the weekend defeat to Newcastle was the latest evidence that they haven't.

Even in the matches they have won without the former Real Madrid man, there has been a clear drop in quality, though they have often found a way to avoid defeat.

United's approach at St. James' Park was evidence of just how much they are suffering in midfield. Not just from the absence of Casemiro, but from the continued time without Christian Eriksen.

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Ten Hag's dream philosophy is for this United side to be composed and creative with the ball at their feet; his two midfield summer signings are the epitome of that style of play.

Casemiro and Eriksen not only have the passing range and technical ability to make things happen out of nothing, but they are both vastly experienced and are rarely flustered when on the pitch.

Their expertise would have been priceless on Sunday afternoon, but without them to choose from, Ten Hag couldn't help but select a makeshift midfield that offered little of the composure he craves.

What is so alarming is that United have now taken just one point from away matches against Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle this season.

The only match in which Casemiro and Eriksen both started was the one in which they grabbed the solitary point at Stamford Bridge. It makes those four defeats less of a surprise.

United have largely coped well since the Denmark international was sidelined against Reading back in January. They have won 10, drawn three and lost two.

That is how it looks on paper at least; anyone who has watched United over the