Manchester United wait for Casemiro could mean controversial Liverpool FC selection

Manchester United hope the imminent addition of Casemiro will allow them to match the leading sides in the Premier League, but against Liverpool on Monday they will have to make do without him.

Erik ten Hag’s side are closing in on a deal for the Real Madrid midfielder, but he still needs a visa and to pass a medical before he is allowed to take the field for his prospective new club.

Adding the 30-year-old to their side would allow United to deploy a similar 4-3-3 formation to the one used by City and Liverpool, with Casemiro used as a deep-lying anchor to do the dirty work and two others tasked with adding creativity and energy around him.

READ MORE: Casemiro agrees terms with United

Even if he wasn't the type of midfielder Ten Hag had targeted this summer, it sums up what a mess United are in because, thanks to their poor forward planning, they might have stumbled upon the midfielder they actually needed.

The blueprint could be outlined with United’s line up to face Southampton a week on Saturday, but before that comes the visit of Liverpool to Old Trafford and a chance for either side to kickstart their campaign.

In preparation for the match this week, Donny van de Beek and Scott McTominay were seen working together during a pressing exercise at training on Wednesday. Last weekend, the pair watched on as the midfield axis of Christian Eriksen and Fred were torn apart by Brentford, a mistake that can't be repeated on Monday night.

What is clear is that something needs to change, but the visit of Liverpool could in fact be the perfect opponent for a United side that is still better suited to the underdog tag and playing on the break.

United’s struggles in the opening two matches of the season have come when Ten