Nothing seemed to be going Manchester United’s way against Crystal Palace, as they lost their star performer Casemiro for the weekend’s Arsenal clash through suspension in a 1-1 stalemate at the Selhurst Park. Erik ten Hag’s side looked on course for a tenth straight victory in all competitions as they led the game one-nil through a Bruno Fernandes goal, only until the stoppage time of the second-half.
A cracking Michael Olise free-kick in the first minute of the injury time was too much for David de Gea to handle, who rather had made some stunning saves throughout the game. The draw ended United’s nine-game winning streak and the chance to overtake the second-placed Manchester City too went begging. However, United know their biggest loss is Casemiro, who will now miss the trip to the league leaders’ home on Sunday.
Manchester United release statement on Casemiro suspension
Manchester United are pushing the top-two occupants of the league table, Arsenal and Manchester City after picking four wins in a row since the resumption of club football post the World Cup. The comeback win over City in the derby last week put United within a point of the defending champions, and now they sit on level with them, however having played a game more.
The Crystal Palace game served United with an intensity which they really had not faced since their run of four consecutive wins had began. Not even City could provide Ten Hag’s side a high-octane game as they went down at Old Trafford. However, Palace were all over the Devils despite going down in the first-half. At one such instance, Palace winger Wilfried Zaha was on sparkling run in the 80th minute, as Casemiro had no option but to bring down the Ivorian.
There was nothing much to complain about as referee Robert Jones flashed a yellow at the Brazilian, his fifth of the season, meaning he will now serve a one-game suspension. And that ‘one game’ happens to be the trip to London to face Arsenal, who must now be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a Casemiro-less United and exact their revenge for a 3-1 defeat against the Red Devils earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Man United released a statement on the 30-year-old’s suspension which read:
“Casemiro will miss Sunday’s Premier League game away to Arsenal after being booked during Manchester United’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
“The Brazilian midfielder entered the midweek match at Selhurst Park with four yellow cards to his name in the league this season, requiring only one more to earn a suspension.
“Although the summer signing from Real Madrid was helping United to control the proceedings in his customary way, he eventually gave referee Robert Jones a reason to book him by obstructing former Reds winger Wilfried Zaha in the 80th minute.”
Casemiro has transformed United since joining them in the summer from Real Madrid, a move however which was highly debated. The Red Devils paid a whopping £60m for the five-time Champions League winner’s acquisition, with another £10m agreed in add-ons. At 30, many raised eyebrows over United’s recruitment policy as they are currently in dire need of young legs. And moreover, Casemiro was apparently United’s Plan-B after they failed to entice Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong. Ten Hag will now have to make do without his best player against the best team in the league so far.