Casemiro's Shocking Absence: The Real Reason Man Utd's Star Midfielder Misses Crucial Villa Clash
Manchester United encounter one of their most challenging fixtures of the campaign when they travel to Aston Villa for their Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils will be eager to secure three crucial points in their last match before the Christmas break, though they face the league's most in-form side. Villa have secured victory in their previous six Premier League encounters and maintained a perfect record across their last nine home fixtures ahead of their meeting with the unpredictable Manchester United.
Villa, who have already defeated both Arsenal and Manchester City at Villa Park, will test Ruben Amorim's squad to the maximum, with the challenge intensified by Casemiro's unavailability in midfield, as the Brazilian has been integral to United's tactical setup throughout this campaign.
But what's behind the experienced midfielder's absence for United?
Why Is Casemiro Unavailable Against Aston Villa?
Once again this season, Casemiro finds himself sidelined for United due to disciplinary action. The 33-year-old will be absent from the Villa Park encounter following a one-game suspension after collecting his fifth yellow card in Premier League action, with his most recent caution coming during the chaotic 4–4 stalemate against Bournemouth last Monday.
This marks just the second fixture Casemiro will miss for United this campaign, having previously been unavailable for the 3–1 loss at Brentford in September after receiving a red card in the Chelsea match.
Casemiro has featured in the starting eleven for all but three United matches this season, and it's significant that those absent games have all ended in losses for Amorim's team. The surprising second-round elimination by Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup was followed by defeats against Manchester City and Brentford.
United will be hoping to avoid a fourth consecutive away defeat without Casemiro this weekend.
Who Will Replace Casemiro for Man Utd?
Manuel Ugarte has been Amorim's preferred choice when Casemiro is excluded from the starting formation this season. The Uruguayan has struggled to impress during his limited chances though, with doubts persisting about his long-term prospects at Old Trafford.
Given Villa's formidable midfield trio featuring players like Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara, Amorim faces a crucial decision, with Kobbie Mainoo representing the only other realistic option alongside Casemiro and Ugarte.
The English midfielder has seen limited action this season while speculation continues about his future, but he could prove valuable against Villa on Sunday. Another omission would only enhance Mainoo's negotiating power as he considers a potential winter departure.