Man United may have answer to Casemiro problem right under their noses - and it's already been proven

Provided Kobbie Mainoo and Scott McTominay return from international duty injury-free, Manchester United's midfield could pick itself at Brentford this weekend.

After Erik ten Hag decided to overlook Sofyan Amrabat to cover in Casemiro's absence against Liverpool last weekend, it is unlikely the Moroccan will be reinstated to the starting XI at the Gtech Community Stadium. Casemiro faces a spell on the sidelines with a recurring hamstring problem and Amrabat is United's only other defensive midfield specialist.

Instead, Ten Hag selected McTominay to join forces with Bruno Fernandes and Mainoo. His decision was vindicated within 10 minutes when the Scotland international put United ahead, but their midfield was regularly exposed throughout the contest.

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McTominay, like Mainoo and Fernandes, is more comfortable attacking rather than sitting deep and mopping up potential danger. His tally of nine goals this season is proof of that.

But if Ten Hag is not prepared to turn to Amrabat in Casemiro's absence, it is likely that McTominay is going to be tasked with supporting Mainoo in a deeper position even though the latter is also establishing himself as a forward-thinking player. It is why signing a defensive-midfielder should be United's top priority this summer.

Yet Fernandes has admitted he envisions evolving into a midfielder that operates from a deeper position in the future. The Portugual international is United's chief architect, regularly starting games in the No.10 berth, but has previously sampled playing in a more reserved role.

"I have played, however, especially last season