Carrick made five changes at the Stadium of Light, so United’s overall performance cannot be put down to the absence of just one man. There is a general acceptance their squad lacks depth in terms of quality and team selections like this prove it.
But it is well known strengthening in midfield is a priority this summer.
Nottingham Forest’s England international Elliot Anderson is top of their wishlist, but Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Mateus Fernandes at West Ham and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott are all admired – and ones with obvious Premier League experience.
Yet, as Le Bris explained when asked to compare Casemiro with his own club’s 33-year-old midfielder Granit Xhaka, players of that experience bring much more than what is obvious on the pitch.
“It is hard to quantify but they are so important,” said the Frenchman.
“On one side they have experience so they can manage the momentum and flow of the game even if it’s really emotional.
“But they are also great players. The level is important because of the way they manage the ball under pressure and the way they defend with their team-mates.
“Casemiro on one side and Granit on the other are not the most physical players in the league, in duels and so on, but they manage team-mates and the flow of the squad, and for that they are so important.”
The insight is valuable because it explains what United might need this summer and why just recruiting a talented younger player might not provide all the answers.
It also outlines why it might take two players, or even three if Ugarte leaves, to offer the versatility in selection United evidently do not have at present.
