Manchester United may already have a 'dream' alternative to injured midfielder Christian Eriksen at Old Trafford in the form of Brazilian star Casemiro, journalist Steve Bates has informed GIVEMESPORT.
The 30-year-old was taken off with an ankle knock against Reading in the FA Cup last weekend and is now expected to spend an extended period on the sidelines.
Man Utd Transfer News
Earlier today, Manchester United released an official statement detailing that Eriksen will be out until April at the earliest, ruling the Denmark international out for a large chunk of the remaining 2022/23 campaign.
Sustaining the blow to his ankle against Reading, Eriksen was removed from the field in the 57th minute. This led to Casemiro and Fred being entrusted to provide support to the Red Devils' forward players, which resulted in the former bagging two goals and the latter settling the tie with an effort of his own.
In light of their lack of available options in midfield, BBC Sport broke that Manchester United were in talks with Bayern Munich over a potential loan deal for Marcel Sabitzer.
Since then, ESPN reporter Rob Dawson has confirmed on Twitter that Sabitzer has been permitted to travel to Manchester to complete the deal, which will include an option to buy.
What has Steve Bates said about Eriksen's injury?
Journalist Bates believes that Manchester United could already have their 'dream' alternative to Eriksen, stating that Ten Hag should use Casemiro in a more advanced position following his double against Reading.
Bates told GMS: "I think one option they have is probably to push Casemiro forward. Casemiro's been an absolute dream as a buy for the whole club.
"He's made an instant impact in a few months at the club, not many players managed to achieve that, but he has done that and I think you saw it against Reading in the FA Cup. He has the ability to score a goal and obviously, if you were to push him further forward, maybe, he might even be more of a goal threat."
Is Casemiro the right man to step in for Eriksen?
Despite his goals against Reading, it looks as if midfield maestro Casemiro will continue to be deployed in his deep-lying role looking ahead, with a deal for Sabitzer to link up with Ten Hag at Old Trafford moving closer by the minute.
The Austria international has been a regular for Bayern Munich in 2022/23, scoring once and claiming an assist from 24 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.
Undoubtedly, the £300k-a-week earning Casemiro (as per Salary Sport) can also have a telling influence going forward and has racked up four goals and five assists in 28 fixtures himself; however, offers so much from a defensive perspective, with WhoScored noting that he has won an average of 3.4 tackles per match in the Premier League this term.
Variation in midfield is key and a duo of Casemiro and Sabitzer in the engine room will be an exciting thought for Manchester United supporters as they eye a top-four finish and silverware at Old Trafford.