Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, is having a difficult time making a choice on Casemiro because the midfielder might be suspended from Sunday’s game against Arsenal if he receives a booking in the middle of the week.
The only team to defeat Arsenal in the league thus far is Red Devils United, who triumphed 3-1 at Old Trafford in September.
Prior to their journey to the Emirates Stadium, they are nine points behind the league’s top team but still have a match against Crystal Palace to play.
Casemiro would receive a one-match suspension if he received a booking at Selhurst Park on Wednesday. This would be his fifth caution of the year.
The fact that Fred is just one yellow card away from a ban further complicates the matter since he may fill in if his compatriot is rested.
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After being eased into first-team play, Casemiro, who cost Real Madrid £60 million in the summer transfer window, has developed into a crucial component of Ten Hag’s squad.
The physical midfielder hasn’t totally avoided problems either, as he received two yellow cards in United matches prior to the World Cup and two more since then, including one on Saturday when his club won the Manchester Derby.
Although he hasn’t always been a mainstay in the lineup, Fred, 29, started his first league game since October against Manchester City.
Late in the victory, both midfielders—Fred in the 88th minute and Casemiro in the 89th—were given warnings.
One possibility for United is to rest both players against Palace, give Scott McTominay the start, and deploy Bruno Fernandes in a deeper position than what he played on Saturday.
After the season’s halfway point, yellow card suspensions only apply to players with 10 bookings. The midweek game is the final one in which a Man Utd player would be suspended for receiving their fifth booking of the year.
If United wins against Crystal Palace, it will briefly move into second place. Manchester City could then overtake them on Thursday, though, with the reigning champions hosting Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium.
Should Man Utd rest Casemiro or Fred against Palace? Let’s have youe opinion in the comments section below.