Erik ten Hag faces huge decision over whether to unleash secret weapon in derby against Man City

Casemiro remains the midfielder that Manchester United have longed for and yet the narrative either side of his high-profile move from Real Madrid has been surprising at best and baffling if honest. But will the Brazil destroyer finally be unleashed in the blood and thunder of a Manchester derby?

Having initially set their sights on Declan Rice, despite fears of his valuation, United switched focus to Frenkie de Jong when Erik ten Hag was appointed. However, the Dutchman remains at Barcelona after what was an at times garishly public chase for his signature.

De Jong would have improved United, no doubt, but their porous defence and fragile protection from the engine room (pre-Ten Hag) threw up even bigger question marks. United needed someone to prevent opposition attacks as much as start their own. By hook or crook, they got both.

READ MORE: Ronaldo has sent wake-up call

Eyebrows were raised when Ten Hag took the plunge to sign Christian Eriksen on a free. Eight games later there is no such debate anymore and it seems to be a masterstroke from the newly-appointed United manager.

Whisper it quietly, but recruitment has generally been impressive since Ten Hag was, effectively, given the keys to that department this summer amid ongoing changes behind the scenes. Not only has the team been strengthened, but existing players have raised their levels to present further selection dilemmas.

Eriksen has been the catalyst in that respect. Despite missing out on De Jong this summer, United have that player to unlock defences in tight moments during tighter games, while he has the passing range and game awareness to keep things ticking over steadily when retention is desired.

Perhaps more impressively, the Denmark playmaker has