19 January 2023 , 00:13
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Manchester United midfielder Casemiro could do little more than give his team-mate Bruno Fernandes a stern glare during their 1-1 draw away at Crystal Palace.
After the latter's dodgy defending left the former with little choice but to make a risky tackle. It was a risk that swiftly backfired, as after Fernandes ducked out of a tackle, Casemiro tried to halt a threatening Crystal Palace attack by scathing down Wilfried Zaha.
The challenge could have actually seen the Brazilian international red carded, but he managed to stay on the field for the remainder of the game with a yellow. That same yellow has ruled him out of Sunday's huge clash away at Arsenal given it was his fifth of the season.
It was always a tightrope considering what was at stake with Casemiro potentially being ruled out of the trip to the Emirates, but Erik ten Hag's worst fears were realised with 10 minutes to spare.
After the 30-year-old brought down Zaha, he got up and stared out Fernandes - seemingly blaming him for the fact he was forced into making the tackle.
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Following the full-time whistle, pundit Jamie Redknapp discussed the moment on Sky Sports as he explained: "We spoke before the game about Casemiro and the importance of not getting a yellow card because they need him on Sunday.
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"He gets booked in the 80th minute and it’s as if from that moment, it took the steam out of Manchester United. It affected them so much and it’s as if they knew that their talisman in that midfield role is gone, it’s a bit of a moment of madness.
"He is furious with his team-mate Bruno Fernandes for getting out of the way of the challenge."
Redknapp went on to address how the yellow card may have gone down in the red half of North London, as he added: "I bet when Mikel Arteta saw that, he was dancing around his living room because it is so important. They have no one that can do that in their team."
Despite the blow, boss Ten Hag sent a defiant message to the Gunners at full-time as he insisted United can still topple Arsenal just like they did back in September.
Reflecting on the tackle itself, the Dutchman claimed: "I think it’s instinctive. He missed the ball. It’s quite clear it have been a dangerous situation. He wanted to stop it and that was his reaction.
He added: "The last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro so this time we need to do the same."