08 March 2023 , 09:59
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Casemiro is one booking away from suspension in the Europa League, giving Erik ten Hag a headache ahead of Manchester United 's first-leg tie against Real Betis.
The Red Devils will welcome Manuel Pellegrini 's men to Old Trafford this Thursday for a last-16 clash, having beaten Barcelona in the play-off round. Casemiro, 30, was instrumental in both legs but could find himself missing an upcoming fixture as United resume their European campaign following Sunday's appalling 7-0 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool.
Ten Hag is now sifting through the wreckage in search of a response from his players, with midfield general Casemiro perhaps the most surprising star to underperform at Anfield, as he was labelled "very poor" by a scathing Jamie Carragher. The Brazil international has already missed a total of four Premier League matches through suspension in 2023, firstly for accumulating five yellow cards in the first half of the season and then for violent conduct after grabbing Crystal Palace midfielder Will Hughes by the neck.
With a potential third ban this term in mind, Casemiro could be given a much-needed rest on Thursday. However, that'd mean Ten Hag would be risking his absence in later rounds, such as next Thursday's second leg, as players are only given a clean slate at the beginning of the semi-final stage.
Underdogs Real Betis find themselves in a much worse predicament, although Pellegrini is unlikely to rotate in light of the looming suspensions. Defensive trio German Pezzella, Luiz Filipe and Aitar Ruibal are all one yellow card away from serving one-match bans, as is former Manchester City and Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
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Bravo, 39, was rested by his manager for Betis' final group game in order to avoid missing the first leg of their round-of-16 tie. The ex-City and Barca shot-stopper is fresh off keeping a clean sheet in Sunday's 0-0 draw with reigning Spanish and European champions Real Madrid, a result which consolidated the Seville side's league position in fifth place.
Casemiro was sent off against Crystal Palace just weeks after serving a one-game ban for accumulated yellow cards (Dave Thompson/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Have your say! Should Casemiro be risked in the first leg against Real Betis? Join the debate in the comments section.
Pellegrini is looking forward to reacquainting with the Red Devils after spending three years as boss of bitter rivals Man City. The 69-year-old has beaten United five times in his managerial career but is wary of how Ten Hag and co will respond to Sunday's dismantling at Liverpool.
"I don't think United have ever been hit as hard as this. I don't know how the team will react," Pellegrini told the Telegraph. "Whether they'll go down or come at us with a knife between their teeth."