Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has been banned for four matches after he bagged his second red card of the season against Southampton.
It was a double blow for Manchester United at Old Trafford against Southampton as they settled for a stalemate with the Saints.
There were glimmers of hope for the Red Devils when they jettisoned their biggest defeat against Liverpool to thrash Real Betis 4-1 in the Europa League first leg clash.
However, the resurgent Manchester United squad have now gone two Premier League matches without a win after the stalemate at Old Trafford.
Casemiro banned for four matches
Casemiro bagged his second red card of the season and has been banned for four matches. The former Real Madrid midfielder launched a rash challenge on Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz.
After the challenge, center referee Anthony Taylor issued a yellow card for the challenge but there was a VAR call for the decision to be reviewed on the pitchside mirror.
After the review, Anthony Taylor retrieve the yellow card and issued a straight red card which saw the midfield maestro sent off with 11 minute to play in the first half.
After the red card, both teams hit the woodwork twice before the end of the game which ended goalless.
It was the second time Casemiro has bagged a red card this season. The former Real Madrid player saw his first red card against Crystal Palace and missed three matches before returning to the lineup in the 7-0 defeat to Liverpool.
After the VAR review, Anthony Taylor was forced to jettison the yellow card and issue a straight red card to Casemiro, 11 minutes before the end of the first half.
Reacting to the red card, Erik Ten Hag said when the footage of the challenge is freezed it shows a rash challenge, but insisted it was a fair challenge and Casemiro is a fair player and has played over 500 games without being sent off.
Erik Ten Hag added the decision to slammed the midfielder is debatable.
He plays tough but he plays fair. Also in the contentious challenge, he played fair. Same as against Crystal Palace, so it is very debatable, according to the Dutch tactician.
“When you freeze it looks bad, but everyone who knows something about football, who is acting on top football, they know what is bad and what isn’t bad, what is fair”, he said.
“I tell you Casemiro is a really fair player. Tough but fair and it shows over 500 games in big leagues, never sent off.”
Casemiro will miss four Manchester United domestic games but will feature for the team in UEFA competitions since the red card is not applicable to UEFA club competitions.
Games that Casemiro will miss include Manchester United’s FA Cup quarterfinal against Newcastle United, and three Premier League games against Newcastle United, Brentford, and Everton.
Obviously, Manchester United will face a uphill task in the top four race as the Premier League winds down with the midfield sensation set to miss the said number of matches.
Will Manchester United appeal the red card?
According to Manchester United Evening News, the Red Devils have decided not to appeal Casemiro’s red card by Anthony Taylor.
Despite seeming to dispute Anthony Taylor’s decision, Erik Ten Hag accepted the decision and gave Anthony Taylor a hug after the game.
Manchester United travels to Spain for the second leg Europa League tie against Real Betis in their next fixture.
Casemiro will likely feature for the Red Devils in the game but also facing a risk of missing the quarterfinal first leg if he is booked again.
