Manchester United have a chance to give Facundo Pellistri what he wants

Casemiro's parting gift?

After tonight's match, the next date Casemiro could play for Manchester United is on April 13. Should United somehow fail to progress against Betis, Casemiro would not play again until the weekend of April 15.

Or is Casemiro benched?

Erik ten Hag may be of the opinion that it is better to prepare his available midfielders for the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on Sunday than give a start to Casemiro. Donny van de Beek's incongruous start at Real Sociedad in November was an unsuccessful method to get him up to speed to replace the suspended Bruno Fernandes at Aston Villa three days later.

Ten Hag has not started Fred and Scott McTominay together since the opening weekend defeat to Brighton and Marcel Sabitzer's playing time was reduced after Casemiro served his first three-match suspension.

Also read: Meet the former United trialist who was man of the match vs Betis

Sabitzer and Fred appears to be Ten Hag's preferred partnership in the absence of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, also missed in the goalless draw with Southampton.

Winging it?

United's balance with 10 men on Sunday improved when Facundo Pellistri and Alejandro Garnacho were introduced for Antony and Jadon Sancho. Sancho, who started as the No.10, repeatedly drifted to the right-hand side, causing congestion. With Pellistri and Garnacho in their best roles and Marcus Rashford the recognisable striker, the confusion over United's set-up ended.

Garnacho will not play again until April, at the earliest, and he has been United's outstanding game-changer off the bench. Pellistri has also made notable contributions in his six cameos and his inclusion at the weekend effectively confirmed he is ahead of Anthony Elanga in the