Casemiro hands Erik ten Hag double Man Utd headache as problem emerges ahead of Arsenal clash
Erik ten Hag must make a decision regarding Casemiro, as the Brazil midfielder risks missing Sunday’s match against Arsenal if he receives a yellow card in midweek.
Manchester United are the only team to have defeated Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in the Premier League this season, having defeated them 3-1 at Old Trafford in September.
They are nine points behind the league leaders prior to their trip to the Emirates Stadium, but they must first overcome Crystal Palace.
If Casemiro is cautioned on Wednesday at Selhurst Park, it will be his fifth yellow card of the season, resulting in a one-match suspension. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that Fred, who could replace his teammate if he is rested, is one yellow card away from suspension.
Casemiro, who was acquired from Real Madrid for £60 million in the summer, has become a key member of Ten Hag’s squad after being eased into first-team action.
However, the tough-tackling midfielder has not entirely stayed out of trouble, receiving two yellow cards in United games before the World Cup and two yellow cards since, including one on Saturday as his team won the Manchester Derby.
Fred has not always been a regular starter, but the 29-year-old made his first league start against Manchester City since October. Fred and Casemiro were cautioned late in the victory, in the 88th and 89th minutes, respectively.
United could rest both players against Palace, allowing Scott McTominay to start and deploying Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role than he did on Saturday.
The midweek game is the last in which a Manchester United player would be suspended for receiving his fifth yellow card of the season; after the season’s halfway point, yellow card suspensions only apply to players with 10 bookings.
United would temporarily move into second place with a victory against Crystal Palace. On Thursday, when the defending champions host Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City could overtake them.
“We have improved, that is obvious,” United boss Ten Hag said after goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford helped his team come from behind to win the derby. “There is still a long way to go but we have a lot of aspects in our game we have to improve but we are progressing.
“The fans may dream but we are not, we have to keep our feet on the ground and face that our game has a lot to improve. It can’t happen that after half-time we are losing so much control in the game.”
Casemiro hands Erik ten Hag double Man Utd headache as problem emerges ahead of Arsenal clash
