Manchester United midfielder Casemiro received a yellow card in his team’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. Now, many are wondering if he will be suspended at Arsenal come Sunday.
The Red Devils travel to Emirates Stadium to meet the Premier League leaders as they look to mount their own title challenge. Mikel Arteta’s team top the table with 47 points after 18 games. The Gunners also lead Manchester United by eight points having played once less.
Arsenal watched Manchester United stumble on Wednesday as Crystal Palace held Erik ten Hag’s squad to a point. Their stalemate ended the Old Trafford natives’ five-fixture winning streak in the top-flight. But the yellow card Casemiro received carries huge consequences.
Can Casemiro play at Arsenal or is the Manchester United star suspended?
Referee Robert Jones issued Casemiro a yellow card 80 minutes into Manchester United’s trip to Crystal Palace. The official cautioned the Brazil international following a late foul on Wilfried Zaha. It is the fifth time so far this term that Casemiro has received a yellow card.
So, Casemiro will now be suspended when Manchester United play at Arsenal on Sunday. Premier League rules state that any player to earn five yellow cards over the first 19 games of the season must serve a one-match suspension. The threshold then rises to 10 over 32.
Manchester United met Crystal Palace in their 19th fixture of the Premier League season. So, Casemiro was just one game away from avoiding a suspension for his fifth yellow card of the campaign. Instead, he will now miss the Red Devils’ trip to the Emirates on Sunday.
All five of Casemiro’s yellow cards in Premier League games this season
Only yellow cards issued during Premier League games count towards a player receiving a suspension following their fifth caution. Yellow cards also do not carry over to the FA Cup or EFL Cup. So, Casemiro is now suspended for Manchester United’s game against Arsenal.
Ten Hag’s £60m, rising to £70m, summer signing from Real Madrid is a key part of the Red Devils squad. The 30-year-old has started in 12 of his 16 top-flight appearances for the Old Trafford outfit. He has also scored twice and laid on three assists during his league outings.
But Casemiro has now received five yellow cards and will be suspended at Arsenal after his booking at Crystal Palace. It was also his third caution over the £300k-a-week Brazil star’s past four appearances. He had earlier only been booked in back-to-back games in October.
Referee Craig Pawson showed Casemiro his first yellow card as a Premier League player as Manchester United drew 0-0 against Newcastle United on October 16. Simon Hooper then issued the midfielder a caution as the Red Devils beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on the 19th.
Casemiro did not receive another yellow card until referee Jones booked the midfielder as Ten Hag’s squad edged Wolves 1-0 on December 31. Stuart Attwell then cautioned the 69-cap ace as his side beat Manchester City 2-1 on January 14. It was also in the 89th minute.
What has Erik ten Hag said about Casemiro’s suspension vs Arsenal?
Ten Hag admits Casemiro’s suspension will hurt his squad when Manchester United visit Arsenal. But he has, publicly, expressed confidence in his other players getting a result on Sunday. The Red Devils beat the Gunners 3-1 on September 4 without Casemiro starting.
Ten Hag told BBC Sport: “He’s a really important player for us and a reason we’re in this position. But last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro. We need to do [that] again.
“We’re winning, controlling the game and an unlucky moment. We don’t have time to react. We have to take that and move on and make the best plan for Arsenal.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
