Casemiro will now serve a four-match ban for Manchester United following his red card against Southampton.
Sky Sports pundits Paul Merson and Michael Dawson were in disagreement over Casemiro’s straight red card against Southampton as the debate over his four-match domestic ban threatens to rumble on. The Brazilian received his marching orders last Sunday following a VAR check after his studs crashed into the shin of Saints attacking midfielder Carlos Alcaraz, who was left slumped on the turf in agony.
The red card was Casemiro’s second in as many months resulting in an increased suspension – straight reds usually result in three-match bans – for the defensive midfielder, who will miss the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham plus Premier League matches against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton.
But Merson feels as though Casemiro and United were hard done by as the officials should have taken the wet pitch into consideration when reviewing the incident.
“Sometimes you’ve got to use common sense. Casemiro’s one, it’s a wet pitch, his foot has rolled over the ball. He hasn’t missed it. You can’t help that,” Merson said on Soccer Saturday.
“Any other day his studs are bang on the ball and he carries on and it will be alright.
The red card was Casemiro’s second in as many months resulting in an increased suspension – straight reds usually result in three-match bans – for the defensive midfielder, who will miss the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham plus Premier League matches against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton.
But Merson feels as though Casemiro and United were hard done by as the officials should have taken the wet pitch into consideration when reviewing the incident.
Tim Sherwood names Man Utd ‘saviour’ to resolve Casemiro suspension crisis
Manchester United will be without Casemiro for their next four domestic matches following his red card against Southampton last weekend.
Tim Sherwood believes Scott McTominay has what it takes to be Manchester United’s saviour in their next four matches without Casemiro. The Brazilian anchorman was close to tears last Sunday when he received a straight red card following a VAR check which did not approve of his high tackle on Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz.
As Casemiro was also sent off in early February for raising in his hands to Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes, he has now been slapped with an extra game suspension in addition to his three-match ban.
It means he will now miss the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham this weekend in addition to Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton.
In the view of former Tottenham and Aston Villa boss Sherwood, McTominay has all the tools required to fill the void of the former Real Madrid man at the base of United’s midfield.
He said on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday: “Every game is a big game name now. You have teams fighting for survival and Newcastle chasing the top four.
“He’s [Casemiro] is a huge miss, it’s not only about what he gives you as a player but it’s the character in and around the dressing room.
“We touched on it a couple of weeks ago, this kid has come to United with a desire to win things that I didn’t think he would come with.
“He’s quality as well, he has a passing range. It’s up to somebody to come and step in now.
“I think McTominay might be the answer, I really do. He’s been restricted by a lack of game time but if you give him a plan, like this manager certainly has of just staying where you are, trying to break things up, sticking to a real basic role which I think he can do, then I think he’s capable of filling in.
Benni McCarthy role in Rashford revival
“But as soon as Casemiro comes back, he’s straight back into the team. That’s the problem for anyone that fills in.”
McTominay’s long-term future at Old Trafford is in doubt with the Scotland international expected to be made available for transfer this summer.
However, the industrious midfield is rated by Erik ten Hag, who gave him a run in his side right at the beginning of the Premier League season.
The 26-year-old even started ahead of Casemiro following the Brazilian’s transfer to Old Trafford as United were beaten by Brighton and Brentford in their opening two fixtures.
McTominay, who did not feature against Real Betis on Thursday, is believed to be a doubt for United’s FA Cup clash with Fulham this weekend though after he complained about an issue earlier this week.
Ten Hag said on Friday when quizzed on injuries within his squad: “We just returned. We have to see, to see the doc. I have an idea but I have to see the progress with some players
“About the last game, that is why I didn’t bring him in, Scott McTominay, [as] he had some complaints. We have to see how that will progress in the coming hours and days.”
McTominay has featured 18 times in the Premier League for United this season, collecting six yellow cards.
Man Utd boss Ten Hag explains Benni McCarthy’s role in remarkable Marcus Rashford revival
Manchester United forward coach Benni McCarthy has been praised by Erik ten Hag for his work with Marcus Rashford this season.
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has praised Benni McCarthy for his work with Marcus Rashford but the Dutchman also cited there are other members of his coaching staff to thank for the England international’s stunning revival. The 25-year-old forward is quickly approaching the 30-goal mark in all competitions having found the net for the 27th time this season in United’s 1-0 Europa League victory at Real Betis.
Rashford has been firing on all cylinders both domestically and in Europe this season having also struck three times for England at the World Cup in Qatar.
The red-hot attacker endured the toughest season of his professional career last term when he struggled for form and confidence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, respectively.
But now it seems his struggles are well and truly behind him having elevated his game to the next level.
While ex-Porto, Blackburn and West Ham striker McCarthy is receiving a lot of the plaudits, Ten Hag believes Rashford’s turnaround has been courtesy of a collective effort from his staff.
“I think the most important of course is the way of play that gives him base and structure and the way of play is in his favour. I knew his skills,” Ten Hag said ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham.
“You also bring staff around who can make him better and make him progress and he can get motivated from. I thought we needed one of the staff who was specific for strikers and Benni is doing a good job.
“But don’t forget others in the staff because it is about teamwork. The staff is about balance. It is not only about Benni McCarthy.
All have specific jobs in our squad, we work together, it’s a good vibe and they challenge each other and it is the total package and it is not about one person.”
Despite their frustrating dip in the Premier League, United can still add two more trophies to their collection this season with the FA Cup and Europa League.
United picked up their first piece of silverware of the Ten Hag era in February when they ran out 2-0 winners over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
Rashford was right at the heart of their success having netted six times in six games during the competition.
He is now operating on another level and is undoubtedly among the most in-form players in all of world football at this moment in time.
McCarthy’s impact on the United talisman has also made an impression back home in South Africa where Orlando Pirates striker Ndumiso Mabena has been highly complementary of his idol’s work at Old Trafford.
“He’s been my role model ever since I have been playing football,” Mabena said of McCarthy, his footballing hero in February. “Seeing him coaching at Manchester United makes me proud.
“Ever since he got there, Marcus Rashford has been scoring regularly. We have to learn from him. He has done well consistently.”
United are looking to book another Wembley trip this weekend when they seek to avoid an FA Cup upset against high-flying Fulham, who have lost their last two Premier League matches to Brentford and Arsenal.