The young talent from Manchester United has only been given the opportunity to start in three Premier League matches this season.

Comparing the current situation to last season, when Erik ten Hag took charge, Manchester United had already secured their place in the Champions League.

However, fast-forwarding to the present, the Red Devils are now facing Newcastle United at Old Trafford in a battle to secure a place in the UEFA Conference League.

Following United’s heavy 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace and a 1-0 loss to Arsenal, there is a possibility that they may not qualify for any European competition this season.

Considering this, let’s analyze the potential changes in the lineup to strengthen the defense and find a suitable replacement for Casemiro.

Why Casemiro is being replaced in the teamDue to the ongoing injury crisis in the Manchester United defense, Ten Hag has made the experimental decision to deploy Casemiro as a center-back. The Brazilian midfielder’s first appearance in this position was during the 3-3 draw against Coventry City in the FA Cup, and since then, he has played every game as a defender.

However, Casemiro, who is primarily a defensive midfielder, has received significant criticism for his performances against Crystal Palace and Arsenal. He was heavily criticized by analyst Liam Canning, who described his display as “beyond embarrassing” after the game at Selhurst Park.

During that defeat, Casemiro was involved in three of Crystal Palace’s goals and was dribbled past seven times. Furthermore, he was at fault for Arsenal’s goal over the weekend by playing Kai Havertz onside, which indicates his lack of understanding in the center-back role.

It is evident that Ten Hag must deploy a natural center-back against Newcastle United, and fortunately, there is one player waiting for an opportunity to showcase his abilities.

The player under discussion here is Paul Pogba, a World Cup-winning footballer. Pogba, who currently plays for Juventus, served a suspension for using a banned substance, but he had returned to Manchester United for free two summers ago.

There is ongoing debate about whether Pogba’s return to United in 2016, for a then-world record fee of £89 million, was worth the investment. In his total of 233 games for the club (including seven in his first spell), Pogba scored 39 goals and provided 48 assists, while also winning two trophies—the Europa League and the Carabao Cup. Despite the high transfer fee and his contributions, there is little doubt about Pogba’s elegance and grace as a midfielder. Unfortunately, he has often been played out of position as a defensive midfielder when his best performances have come further up the pitch.

Pogba’s best football at United was played under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, featuring in 101 matches, scoring 17 goals, and assisting 23. In the latter part of Solskjaer’s tenure, Pogba often thrived playing on the left wing.

Despite his tall stature, Pogba possesses exceptional dribbling skills, enabling him to effortlessly evade defenders. According to Fbref, during the 2020/21 Premier League season, he averaged 48.16 carries per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 14% of midfielders. Additionally, Pogba’s ball distribution is outstanding, regularly executing accurate 50 or 60-yard passes. In the same season, he made 1.95 successful switches per 90 minutes (placing him in the top 1%) and 6.26 final third passes per 90 minutes (placing him in the top 13%).

Assan Ouedraogo, the 17-year-old midfielder currently playing for Schalke, has garnered attention for his impressive performances in his debut season of professional football. He has already featured in 15 matches, scoring and assisting twice.

Similar to Paul Pogba, Ouedraogo possesses a tall and graceful stature, making him an intriguing prospect. Football analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “frightening” player with great ball-carrying abilities and quick footwork despite standing at 191cm.

According to Fbref, Ouedraogo averages 2.18 progressive carries and 1.03 carries into the final third per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 15% and 3% among midfielders, respectively. He also demonstrates strength in aerial duels, winning an average of 1.41 per 90 minutes, ranking him in the 77th percentile.

Considering Ouedraogo’s skill set, he could potentially be a suitable replacement for Casemiro if the Brazilian were to leave Manchester United. However, it’s important for United to carefully consider the implications of such a signing. As Mattinson explained, Ouedraogo has a similar profile to players like Pogba, Kephram Thuram, and Ryan Gravenberch, who are often miscast as defensive midfielders due to their physical attributes, but excel in more advanced roles.

If United were to sign Ouedraogo with the intention of using him in an advanced midfield position, it might necessitate playing another player, like Mainoo, in a deeper role. This could potentially hinder Mainoo’s strengths, as he thrives as an advanced midfielder. Therefore, United might need to acquire another player who excels in a deeper midfield position in order to accommodate both Ouedraogo and Mainoo in the same side.

In conclusion, signing Ouedraogo for a fee of £17.1 million would be a shrewd move for Manchester United. It would allow them to finally secure a replacement for Pogba while potentially addressing the need for a Casemiro replacement.