TEN HAG DEFENDS CASEMIRO DECISION AS MANCHESTER UNITED STAR MISSES ARSENAL GAME

Erik ten Hag insisted on starting Casemiro in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Wednesday, despite the fact that the midfielder received a booking, ruling him out of Sunday’s clash with Arsenal.

Casemiro will serve a one-match ban after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season in the 80th minute for chopping down Palace’s Wilfried Zaha.

United appeared to be on course to move into second place in the Premier League after Bruno Fernandes scored late in the first half, but Michael Olise’s stoppage-time free-kick denied the visitors.

Casemiro’s dismissal comes as United prepare to face Premier League leaders Arsenal, who are eight points ahead of Ten Hag’s men.

However, regardless of any potential suspension, United manager Jose Mourinho stated that he would not be able to play Casemiro against Palace.

“This game was crucial. “Every game is crucial,” Ten Hag said after United’s nine-match winning streak ended.

“Every Premier League game is a must-see. Casemiro is obviously a key player for us, and he is one of the reasons we are in the position we are in right now. Casemiro is his name.

“But last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro, so we have a squad, so we have to fill that gap and make a proper plan and the squad have to fill it and make sure that there is a team. We’ve already demonstrated how to defeat Arsenal.”

Casemiro came on as a late substitute in Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal in September, with Marcus Rashford’s brace and an Antony strike the difference at Old Trafford.