Arsenal vs Manchester United: How will Casemiro suspension impact visitors? How will Erik ten Hag adjust tactics?The defender is suspend and he will not play the game between United and the Gunners.
“Casemiro is a really important player for us, and one of the reasons we are in the [good] position we are in now,” the Dutchman told the club’s official website.
“But the last time we beat Arsenal we did it without Casemiro, so we have the squad to make a plan to beat Arsenal.”
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville:
“He missed the ball but it’s quite clear, on our right side, it could have been a dangerous situation. He wants to stop it. That was his reaction, it was quite clear.
“Last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro, so this time we have to do the same.”
“Casemiro getting booked ahead of Sunday against Crystal Palace is a massive blow because he’s been pivotal to them. Erik ten Hag was shaking his head when the yellow card came out and so was I at home.
“I didn’t buy into the idea before that game that Casemiro would be rested. I thought he had to play because Palace are too good a team. He is so important, and it wasn’t a great challenge either to be fair.
“It could’ve been nearer to a red than a yellow, but it happens. Manchester United have to pick it up for Arsenal as they’re in really good form. It is a blip for United but four points before the Manchester derby I’d have said ‘no problem’.
“Having won the derby and then been up 1-0 in the 90th minute, it’s just disappointing.”
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville:
“They beat them without Casemiro last time but they’re going to have to be at their best. They’re going to have to defend well – particularly in the first half an hour.
“Arsenal are electric – but they don’t have a great bench. So if they can get through the first period of the game, they will be confident in what they’ll then face later in the game.
“Arsenal had a similar problem against Newcastle when they defended well [in the recent 0-0 draw]. Arsenal are huge favourites for the game now with Casemiro out, so United have to hang in there in the first part of the game, build confidence and be dangerous on the counter-attack.
“Arsenal are in great form, but it will come down to whether they have a big enough squad to cope with all that comes with being in a title race.
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp:
“We said before the game about Casemiro: Don’t get a yellow card, don’t get booked. As it’s so important that they need him on Sunday. He gets booked in the 80th minute and from that moment, it took the steam out of Manchester United.
“It affected them so much. They knew their talisman and their most important player in that defensive unit was gone. It was a bit of a moment of madness.
“He was furious with his team-mate Bruno Fernandes who jumped out of a challenge and that’s why he ended up with a booking. It could have even been a red card. It’s a scandalous challenge.
“I could just see Mikel Arteta dancing around his living room. They have no one who can do what he does in the team. It’s a reckless challenge, reckless.
“As a player in that position, all his life and all his career he has been making those tackles. He knows he has to get booked sometimes and it was just instinct – it’s all he knows how to do. He can’t help himself. He’s thinking of the team. He doesn’t want to make this challenge because the consequences are so big.
“He was furious there with his player. He had to bring Zaha down as he doesn’t want the other team to score. It’s just instinct.
“He’s so important. It looks like they’ll have to bring in either Fred or Scott McTominay [on Sunday].
“If you look at Arsenal at the moment, with Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka – that midfield is functioning so well. I can only see it benefitting Arsenal in such a huge way. They have got so much confidence right now and it makes red hot favourites.
“He is one of the most important midfield players not just at United but in the Premier League, certain teams function so well when they have certain individuals. He senses danger and they’re going to miss him so much with what he brings to the team. Arsenal? It’s exactly what they wanted to see today and it’s big news for them.”
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