Casemiro, the Brazilian midfielder, has been one of the club’s most significant players since coming in the summer, and they suffered without him when he was suspended for the match against Arsenal after receiving his fifth yellow card.
After being sent off for grabbing Will Hughes by the throat against Crystal Palace, they will now be without him for a lot of games. Here are some of the fixtures he’ll miss.
Manchester United vs Leeds
A match between Manchester United and rivals Leeds has yet to take place this season, with the September match being postponed due to the Queen’s death.
The fact that it’s going ahead in February instead makes it all the more important given Leeds are locked in a relegation battle, and Erik ten Hag’s side will no doubt miss Casemiro’s enforcing in what will be a fiery match.
Leeds vs Manchester United
The two sides will then meet again in four days at Elland Road, almost exactly a year after Manchester United defeated Yorkshire 4-2 there.
Fred scored that day and could do so again, with Casemiro’s absence making it more probable that he’ll play.
Manchester United vs Leicester
Following their doubleheader with Leeds, Manchester United will host Leicester at Old Trafford and will be missing Casemiro.
Leicester’s Premier League place for next season, like Leeds’, is far from assured, so they’ll be doing everything they can to improve on their 1-0 loss to Manchester United earlier this season.
The straight red card brings a three-game ban for Man Utd’s £60m man, and the third game of that suspension is a home meeting with Leicester City.
However, he will be free to return for the Carabao Cup final, and will also be available to face Barcelona in the Europa League with the ban not applying to European competitions.
“Casemiro crossed the line; you saw that,” Ten Hag admitted. “However, I’m unhappy with the inconsistent refereeing; not only this game but also [away to] Palace. They elbowed Martinez and last week with Eriksen. A lot of other players crossed the line, including some Crystal Palace players. VAR didn’t intervene with them.”
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira, meanwhile, refused to be drawn on the decision to send off Man Utd’s midfielder. Vieira picked up eight Premier League red cards during his own playing days, a figure which remains a record-equalling tally to this day.
“I was too far away to see it,” the former France international said. “I don’t want to get involved in that [on why he had his own conversation with the referee]. I don’t want to get fined or suspended, so I will wait for your next question.”
