![](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/GettyImages-1709866213.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Manchester United are relying too heavily on the performances of Casemiro right now and his teammates must step up.<\/p>\n
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis<\/p>\n
That is the opinion of former United forward Louis Saha, as the Red Devils prepare to host Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
Erik ten Hag\u2019s side have endured an awful start to the season, losing five of their opening nine games across all competitions, with off-field issues plaguing OId Trafford.<\/p>\n
Many of the players have underwhelmed thus far, Casemiro among them, with the Brazil captain, who was brilliant last season after signing from Real Madrid, notably struggling in last Saturday\u2019s defeat to Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n
Saha ponders whether this is because the defensive midfielder is trying to do too much up both ends of the pitch, to make up for his underperforming teammates.<\/p>\n
\u2018Casemiro is such a huge name and was a key player for Manchester United last season and he\u2019s going to be one of their best players again when the team finds the right balance,\u2019 Saha told Betfred.<\/p>\n
\u2018At the moment he\u2019s doing an awful lot and almost playing like a number ten. I\u2019m concerned by the link between the players.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/themes\/metro-parent\/img\/fallback.png\")
<\/p>\n
\u2018He\u2019s trying to create for his side and play more passes than some of Manchester United\u2019s players that are in more advanced positions up the pitch. Why\u2019s this the case? This isn\u2019t his main role.<\/p>\n
\u2018He\u2019s being asked to do too many things at the moment and it\u2019s a key indicator that the right balance isn\u2019t there at present. Casemiro isn\u2019t a number ten, but he now seems more advanced up the pitch than I\u2019ve ever seen him before.<\/p>\n
\u2018I don\u2019t remember seeing Casemiro score ten goals a season for Real Madrid, but it seems as if he\u2019s already on course to do that for Manchester United this season with four goals before October.<\/p>\n
\u2018The team is asking too much of him at this moment in time and other players need to step up and perform. Players such as Mason Mount need to provide Manchester United with creativity to allow Casemiro to perform his primary job of protecting the defence.\u2019<\/p>\n
Casemiro has started all nine of United\u2019s games this season, though his midfield partner has frequently changed, with Mount, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay all used.<\/p>\n
It is thought that summer signing Sofyan Amrabat will be the one to provide the much needed balance in the side, but the Morocco star is yet to be deployed in midfield with the injury crisis forcing him into filling in at left-back.<\/p>\n