Case surely closed but Harry's stock rose without playing in Everton debacle

UNITED TO WEIGH UP FUTURES OF TWO SENIOR PROS

- By STEVEN RAILSTON

ALTHOUGH United have tended to struggle without Casemiro on the pitch this season, Ruben Amorim was happy to hook him before the hour mark against Everton on Monday.

Casemiro started poorly and didn’t make a single tackle during his 58-minute appearance.

He looked like a 33-year-old and the display was a reminder of why he shouldn't be given a contract extension.

The fact that there has even been a conversation about whether Casemiro merits an extension (his current deal expires in June) is a credit to himself, but it would be a mistake to keep him beyond this season.

It's been great to see Casemiro make such a strong start to the campaign, but there were always doubts about how long he could sustain that level.

After all, he has entered the winter of his career so it seemed unlikely he would be able to perform like that for the entire season.