Erik ten Hag undroppable has set an example to two Manchester United players

The prospect of the transfer window slamming shut at the start of this month without the addition of a defensive-midfielder was a scenario that Manchester United's fans could not have imagined.

Last season had not even reached the halfway mark and it was already evident that United needed to recruit a holding-midfielder this summer just gone as a top priority. Failure to sign one would have resulted in a big fan backlash.

After earmarking Frenkie de Jong as their leading midfield target before the window had even opened, it was clear that United manager Erik ten Hag was not as concerned about the lack of a world-class defensive-midfielder as some of the fans. De Jong is a midfielder that likes to get on the ball, dictate proceedings and break through the lines.

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But the 4-0 defeat to Brentford highlighted just how dearly they needed a defensive-midfielder. The Bees ripped United apart at the Gtech Community Stadium and their midfield woes, not for the first time in the last 12 months, were exposed.

By the time United kicked-off their next Premier League fixture, facing Liverpool nine days later, they had recruited one of the best defensive-midfielders in the world, landing Casemiro from Real Madrid. It was a statement signing and one that caught almost everyone by surprise.

The Brazilian's arrival at Old Trafford was greeted with a collective sigh of relief; it was a signing that United needed and he was instantly considered as the missing link in Ten Hag's rebuild. But exactly four weeks since he was unveiled to the fans before kick-off against Liverpool, he is yet to start a Premier League fixture.

That is because of the form of Scott McTominay.