Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes: Unbeaten trio

Monday 17 April 2023 13:30

Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday was the perfect blend of defensive resilience and attacking prowess.

Our midfield three had to show plenty of both, with Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro all putting in complete performances to link United’s play and ensure Forest had few sniffs of goal.

Such is the impact of the trio, the Reds are yet to lose when all three have started a game together.

Following the win at The City Ground, that tally of fixtures has now increased to 17 - comprising an impressive 15 victories plus two draws.

Due to injuries and suspensions, Sunday’s match was the first time since January that Erik ten Hag’s side have kicked off with Bruno, Christian and Casemiro all in the engine room, and the stats speak for themselves.

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Each player brings something different to the party, with Fernandes’s influence continuing in both attacking areas and deeper in midfield.

This season, Bruno has played 49 times for the Reds and recorded ten goals and 13 assists in all competitions, being named our Player of the Month for March too.

While our no.8 may not get goal contributions in every single game, as was seemingly the case when he first arrived in 2020, he dictates play superbly – particularly when dovetailing with Eriksen in front of Casemiro.

An injury in January disrupted Christian’s season somewhat, but the Denmark international has still made 34 appearances for Ten Hag’s side so far this term.

Contributing two goals and nine assists over that time, Eriksen is another player who feeds his team-mates in attacking areas while also appearing happy to sit deeper and orchestrate the proceedings.

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The Dane impressed on his first start in over two months at The City Ground.

Casemiro breaks up play superbly and offers protection to the defence as well as providing a platform for Eriksen and Fernandes to create.

The five-time Champions League winner is also excellent on the ball, with his passing ability second to none, and he has chipped in with some crucial goals this term already.

After 42 appearances, our no.18 has five goals and seven assists to his name, demonstrating he can just be as influential in attack as he is when protecting the back four.

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Our Portuguese duo praised the squad strength in our 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

The key to the trio's success so far seems to be how their games complement each other.

None of them are simply a defensive midfielder or an attacking maestro, they have layers to their game that makes them crucial cogs in Ten Hag’s machine.

As we continue through the business end of the season, fans will hoping Casemiro, Eriksen and Fernandes can extend their incredible unbeaten run to 20 games and beyond.

TRIO'S STARTS TOGETHER

Opponents H/A FT
Nicosia A 3-2
Everton A 2-1
Chelsea A 1-1
Sheriff H 3-0
West Ham H 1-0
Sociedad A 1-0
Fulham A 2-1
Burnley H 2-0
Forest H 3-0
Wolves A 1-0
Bournemouth H 3-0
Everton H 3-1
Man City H 2-1
Palace A 1-1
Forest A 3-0
Reading H 3-1
Forest A 2-0

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