Manchester United's conundrum continues with midfielder Casemiro - Premier League hits and misses

This was an important win for Manchester United. Alejandro Garnacho was impressive. Marcus Rashford scored for a second successive game. Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, found the net in the Premier League for the first time since November.

But, for all those positives, it is difficult to watch Erik ten Hag's side right now without wondering what has become of one of their most expensive additions. Casemiro continues to confound.

The Brazilian was the main culprit in a bewilderingly sloppy first-half performance by the hosts, repeatedly squandering possession in his own half with errant passes, often under no pressure.

At the interval, his completion rate was below 70 per cent. At full-time, it was not much better. In fact, at 76 per cent, it was the second-lowest of any United player, excluding their goalkeeper.

In total, Casemiro lost possession 17 times, a total exceeded only by Everton defender Ben Godfrey among all the outfield players on show at Old Trafford - and one he has reached on four separate occasions over the course of the campaign.

A high rate of possession losses can be excused for those players whose job it is to take risks in order to create chances. But that is not the responsibility of a holding midfielder and Casemiro - creator of only 11 opportunities this season - is no exception.

In fairness, the 32-year-old has always been more adventurous than most with his passing from that position. But, in this Manchester United team, one which has major issues exerting control of games, it looks more of a hindrance than a help.

On this occasion, of course, it did not matter. United's first-half penalties went unanswered thanks to the toothlessness of their opponents. But the Casemiro conundrum continues.
Nick Wright

Once