‘Inconsistent!’ – Casemiro red card causes Ten Hag to lose it

Robin Bairner

• 13 Mar 2023 02:44 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United played out a 0-0 draw with Southampton on Sunday in the Premier League, with the main talking point of the encounter a red card shown to summer signing Casemiro.

The veteran Brazil international lunged into a first-half challenge with Saints’ Carlos Alcaraz that resulted in him being shown a straight red by referee Anthony Taylor after a VAR review.

It was a decision that split opinion among Man Utd fans, with some angry that their midfielder had made such a naïve challenge and others defending him.

MORE: Man Utd trying to sign ‘best centre-back in the world’

However, United face playing their next four domestic matches – against Fulham, Newcastle, Brentford and Everton – without a figure who has been such a powerhouse for them this season.

Ten Hag, though, does not necessarily blame the player.

“Casemiro has played more than 500 matches in Europe and he never received a [straight] red card,” he told Sky Sports. “Today, in 20 Premier League matches, he has two.

“I think what is inconsistent is that players no longer know what the current policy is.”

MORE: How many red cards has Casemiro had in his career?

Man Utd stronger with Casemiro

For United, the news that they will be without Casemiro for the next four domestic fixtures represents a sizeable blow as they have clearly performed better when the €70 million signing from Real Madrid is available.

Third in the Premier League, the ban is unlikely to derail their hopes of finishing in the top four and, therefore, returning to the Champions League next season, but it further reduces their prospects of closing the gap to Arsenal and Manchester City at the top of the table.

Despite Casemiro’s second red card of the season, the 31-year-old is still regarded as one of the signings of the season, having widely been credited with re-energising Man Utd under Ten Hag.