Manchester United's performance against Newcastle United on Sunday night (April 2) left much to be desired, but for some fans, it merely underlined how important summer arrival Casemiro is to the side.
The Brazilian midfielder was the notable absence from Erik ten Hag's team-sheet, with an on-going suspension ruling him out of Sunday's clash in the North East.
The match was viewed as crucial for both side's top four hopes, and indeed a 2-0 victory for the Magpies saw them successfully leapfrog Man United Premier League table - although they're both on 50 points.
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With fifth-placed Spurs now just a point behind United, the pressure will be on The Red Devils to bounce back in style. In the opinion of many fans, that all hinges on the availability of Casemiro.
The 31-year-old, who signed from Real Madrid last summer, picked up a four-match ban against Southampton last month, following his second red card dismissal of the season.
As such, he will also miss upcoming home Premier League matches against Brentford and Everton, two games that could prove decisive in the top-four race.
Judging by the reaction online, United fans cannot wait to have the five-time Champions League winner back in their ranks, with some even suggesting that he is the 'most important player' in the Premier League this season.
Indeed, this is exactly what fanpage @UtdEIIis wrote on Twitter following his side's defeat at St James' Park on Sunday: "Casemiro is the single most important player of any team in the Premier League."
While his comment was met with broad agreement and sympathy by United fans, Arsenal supporters profoundly disagreed.
Many responded to the original tweet to comment on how much more important midfielder Thomas Partey is to the Gunners than Casemiro is to United.
One reply read: "Partey is better but whatever United fans say", with a second writing "Partey > Casemiro."
A third user chimed in with: "Partey and Maddison are more important to their teams than Casemiro."
Even within United circles, there wasn't complete agreement on Casemiro's importance to the side.
While many agreed with the sentiment, others claimed: "We play this a** even with him in games like this lmao."
Needless to say, Ten Hag will be desperate to get his star man back in the starting XI and back to his very best, with United currently experiencing a downturn in Premier League form.
The 2023 Carabao Cup winners are without an EPL win since February, and with a tough Europa League clash against Sevilla to come, the manager may have to make a choice over where his priorities lay this season.
Topics: Newcastle United, Manchester United, Casemiro, Erik Ten Hag, Eddie Howe, Premier League
Tom Fenton