Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag gives honest verdict on Casemiro display in Arsenal loss

The common thread across both matches was Casemiro - a defensive midfielder by trade - being asked to fill in at centre-back. A complete lack of options saw Ten Hag plump for Jonny Evans as the other central defender, with academy product Willy Kambwala later brought on from the bench.

Things went wrong for Casemiro inside 20 minutes against the Gunners. Having dropped deep to offer Andre Onana a passing option, he ambled back up the pitch with no real effort to restore United's defensive line.

Kai Havertz capitalised by lingering high up while being played onside by Casemiro, and the German crossed in for Trossard to turn home from close range.

Making matters worse for Casemiro was the fact he seemingly had no idea Trossard was steaming in behind him to score what turned out to be the decisive goal in a 1-0 win for the title-chasing Gunners.

"Today he was at the right level," Ten Hag told beIN Sports after the final whistle. "He is a winner. He hates to lose and we expect him to bring that to the team."

On his positioning for Trossard's winner, the Dutchman added: "He shouldn't be there in that moment, that is obvious and he knows that. But for the rest [of the game] it was a good performance from him."