Manchester United have lost Casemiro ahead of their crunch Premier League tie against Arsenal at the Emirates.
It is a sad one for the Red Devils who have witnessed a massive turnaround under new manager Erik Ten Hag.
It was a double blow for the club at Selhurst Park as they surrendered a narrow 1-0 lead that would have earned them all three points, and also lost Casemiro ahead of Arsenal clash.
A stoppage-time powerful freekick from Olise saw Crystal Palace equalise and share the spoils with the Red Devils despite playing second fiddle to the visitors throughout the game.
Also, Erik Ten Hag lost his holding midfield sensation Casemiro after he bagged a yellow card in the 80th minute. It was a nightmare moment for Manchester United.
Casemiro catch former Man United star Wilfred Saha late and was booked for the fifth time this season. He will now miss the blockbuster clash against Premier League high-flyers Arsenal.
Casmiro is Erik Ten Hag’s hit signing in the middle of the park for the Red Devils. He has proved a revelation giving the previously porous and shaky United midfield stability.
In the game against Crystal Palace, Casemiro helped the team dominate the midfield and stifle Patrick Viera’s midfield maneuvers.
Bruno Fernandes gave United a deserved one-goal lead late in the second half. The Portuguese picked up Christian Eriksen’s cross from inside the box and positioned well before firing into the net.
Despite taking the lead, the Red Devils still held sway over the game, and gave the hosts no chance. But all efforts to secure three points and move to second place on the log failed after Olise crashed in the equaliser from 25-yards in stoppage-time.
After the draw, the Red Devils are third on the log with same number of points as Manchester City, but have now played a game more than the defending champions.
Now, they have missed out on a chance to field Casemiro when they travel to North London to take on Arsenal on Sunday, January 22.
The former Real Madrid star has made 16 appearances for the Red Devils in the Premier League, scoring two goals, and bagged three assists.
He was instrumental in the Red Devils’ shock win over Manchester City in the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford and has been a sensation in the Man United midfield since joining for £60 million from Real Madrid.
Obviously, losing Casemiro to suspension for their crunch Premier League clash with leaders Arsenal on Sunday is a nightmare for the club..
Manchester United would have been the biggest winners at Selhurst Park save the late-minute dramas that swept the game.
They would have secured all three points, move 6 points close to Arsenal, and that would have created more momentum for the game against Gunners at Emirates.
Now, they are eight points away from the league leaders, and have lost Casemiro ahead of the crash.
Nevertheless, United fans will still expect Casemiro to repeat the first-leg magic against the Gunners despite losing a key member of the team.
Erik Ten Hag secured all three points from Arsenal at Old Trafford without Casemiro. They are the only team that have defeated Mikel Arteta’s resurgent side this season, and the Gunners will be eager to avenge the shock loss at Old Trafford. Casemiro’s suspension is now an additional advantage for the Gunners.
