It is 24 games since Manchester United last started a match without Casemiro in the team and his absence at Bramall Lane tonight will be enforced, but it has felt like his status as an undroppable in Erik ten Hag's midfield was beginning to loosen.
He was arguably the most important signing of Ten Hag's first summer, filling a position that United had been short in for far too long. Even at £70million for a 30-year-old, he looked like a major piece of the puzzle, a world-class holding midfielder and a leader on and off the pitch. The Brazilian will be back for the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, but against Sheffield United and FC Copenhagen, Sofyan Amrabat will get his chance to impress in the holding role. It's the first serious challenge to Casemiro's position since he got into the side a year ago.