Manchester United can still get the best out of Casemiro with new role

Casemiro might personify Manchester United's sudden and mystifying regression this season more than any other player. United have endured a terrible start to the new campaign, one that has dislodged all the building blocks put in place by Erik ten Hag last season as quickly as a Jenga tower in a hurricane.

The optimism, excitement and hope fans dared to feel again has been forced deep back inside. Instead, upcoming fixtures are either met with dread or apathy. Two home games this week, two defeats, to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.

United have to be winning those games and should have defeated the Turkish giants. Twice they held the lead and were in cruise control, but they self-destruct more than a James Bond baddie's secret hideout.

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It was cringe-inducing at times. Rashford clean through on goal, Bruno Fernandes sprinting into position for a tap-in only for the pass to be horrifically short. Andre Onana handing possession to an opposition player, leaving Casemiro having to lunge in from a bad angle and earn a straight red card. Avoiding conceding from the penalty, but then conceding four minutes later anyway.

Lemony Snicket couldn't come up with such a series of unfortunate events. Something is deeply wrong at United and it goes beyond the players on the pitch and the manager's decisions.

It goes straight to the top - yet the problems on the pitch can't be ignored and Casemiro's sharp decline this season correlates with United's. The Brazilian's introduction last year is what kickstarted the revival and it was fitting that he got the opening goal