Ten Hag defends Casemiro decision as Manchester United star misses Arsenal game

Erik ten Hag claimed he was right to start Casemiro in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Wednesday even though the midfielder picked up a booking that rules him out of Sunday’s showdown with Arsenal.

Casemiro will serve a one-match ban following his fifth yellow card this term, for chopping down Palace’s Wilfried Zaha in the 80th minute.

United looked poised to move into second spot in the Premier League after Bruno Fernandes fired in the opener late in the first half, but Michael Olise’s stoppage-time free-kick denied the visitors.

Casemiro’s booking is a major blow to third placed United as they prepare to face Premier League leaders Arsenal, who sit eight points clear of Ten Hag’s men.

But the United manager said there was no way he could leave out Casemiro against Palace regardless of any possible suspension.

“This game was important. Every game is important,” Ten Hag said after United’s nine-match winning run came to an end.

“Every game in the Premier League is a top game. Casemiro is obviously a really important player for us, and he is one of the reasons that we are in the position that we are now. That’s Casemiro.

“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 already showed how to beat Arsenal.”

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