Manchester United extended their perfect run in the Premier League on Saturday, as they defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 to make it four wins in a row. The Red Devils didn’t take long to break the deadlock as Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty in the 7th minute, with the hosts dictating the proceedings in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half saw Crystal Palace get some control before Marcus Rashford doubled United’s lead shortly after the hour mark. However, chaos broke out soon after as Casemiro was shown a straight red card for violent conduct.
The course of action started on the right flank in the 70th minute as Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp pushed United winger Antony off the pitch, thus igniting a scuffle among players from both sides. While tensions broke out and both Schlupp and Antony received a yellow card for their outburst, the referee had a close look on a possible violent conduct by Casemiro on Will Hughes.
Upon close examining it was found that Casemiro had his hands on Will Hughes’ neck during the scuffle. Here is the video:
Casemiro will miss United’s next three domestic matches; which include two against Leeds United and one against Leicester City. The defender will be available for both the legs against FC Barcelona in Europa League. He will also be eligible to play the League Cup final against Newcastle, which is scheduled for February 26.
“It was a really high level first 70 minutes until the incident takes place and then you see this team stands for each other,” Ten Hag said at the post-match presser.
“It’s such a good spirit for the team and they don’t accept when a player from us can be badly injured. That is the way Antony got treated.
“This team sticks together, but of course you have to control your emotions, but it’s really difficult in such a moment.
“Then I see two teams fighting each other, I see two teams where players, several players, are crossing the line and then one player is picked out and sent off. For me, that’s not right.”
The United manager also asserted Palace’s Jordan Ayew should have “definitely” got a red card for his actions during the scuffle. “You bring it up, but that was one of the players who did even worse, I would say, than Casemiro,” Ten Hag said of Ayew.
“With Casemiro, you freeze the moment and he’s crossing the line there, but I do definitely.
“You have to be consistent as a VAR. Last week we missed Christian Eriksen (who is out for three months) by a bad foul. No interference from VAR.
“In Crystal Palace (last month), (Jean-Phillipe) Mateta is elbowing (Lisandro) Martinez, he is running for two weeks with a mark on his eyebrow and (VAR’s) not interfering. I see this is not right.”