Manchester United have struggled with inconsistent form in Casemiro’s second season at Old T

Casemiro says he has struggled with sleepless nights during a difficult second season as a Manchester United player, with inconsistent form threatening the club’s European hopes.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro joined in a big-money move in Erik ten Hag’s first transfer window in charge, and made an immediate impact. The Brazilian scored in a 2023 Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle as United ended a six-year wait for silverware, while a third-place finish secured Champions League qualification.

Things have been tougher this term, though. Ten Hag’s side were eliminated from Europe before Christmas after finishing bottom of their group, with Casemiro sent off in a painful defeat at home to Galatasaray, and sit 11 points off Champions League qualification with just seven league games remaining.

Inconsistency has been the order of the day, with United’s longest unbeaten league run of the campaign standing at just five games. The form has taken its toll on multiple Champions League winner Casemiro, who has opened up on his struggles off the field.

rafford, with the club facing a tall order to return to the Champions League

“It’s difficult,” Casemiro told ESPN Brasil. “This is the point that bothers me most about not fighting for titles. Being 20 points behind first place.

“Sometimes, I can’t even sleep to try to think about doing something different. It’s reality. There’s no point in thinking about title or Champions League places, we need to think about today’s games”

Despite his own struggles, he insisted the team succeeds and fails together. “Here, when you win, everyone wins, when you lose, everyone loses,” he said. “It’s not Casemiro who is in sixth, are all the players who are in sixth.”

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United look set to miss out on Champions League qualification ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
United had a chance to make up ground on those above them in the table when they welcomed Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday. After weathering a one-sided first-half to go in only 1-0 down at the break, a long-range Bruno Fernandes strike and a Kobbie Mainoo curler gave them the lead, only for Mohamed Salah to equalise from the penalty spot.

“On one side I am disappointed that we have dropped seven points in one week after being in winning positions, but we have to blame ourselves for making stupid mistakes,” Ten Hag said of his side. “There are also some poor decisions and not every time the same player. Still we have to improve and the sooner the better.

”On the other side I am very proud. You see how we are improving and the potential of this squad is amazing – I am proud. In decisive areas we were losing battles especially with young players we were not confident to win them [duels]. We encouraged in the second half to do better and they stepped up.”

After United’s draw, top four rivals Tottenham beat Nottingham Forest to open up an 11-point gap on Ten Hag’s side. Aston Villa are level on points with Spurs, but have played a game more.

United currently sit in sixth, good enough for a Conference League play-off berth, with West Ham and Newcastle just behind. However, they still have a chance to secure Europa League football by winning the FA Cup, where Championship side Coventry City await in the semi-finals.

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