Erik ten Hag has defended his decision to start Casemiro in Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace even though the Manchester United midfielder picked up a booking that rules him out of Sunday's Premier League showdown with leaders Arsenal.
Casemiro's yellow card for fouling Wilfried Zaha triggered an automatic one-match ban after accruing five already this campaign.
United were denied a 10th consecutive win - which would have been a first since 2009 - by Michael Olise's stoppage-time free-kick after Bruno Fernandes had given them a first-half lead at Selhurst Park.
The draw also meant United missed out on the chance to leapfrog crosstown rivals Manchester City into second place in the table and leaves them eight points behind Arsenal ahead of Sunday's clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Casemiro has been a key component to United's revival this season after signing for the Red Devils last August from Real Madrid for a fee that could rise to £70 million.
United manager Ten Hag said there was no way he could leave out Casemiro against Palace regardless of any possible suspension.
Crystal Palace v Man United ratings
-
CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita, 6 – Other than a few shaky moments early on, the keeper didn’t have much to do other than pick the ball out of the net. Getty -
Nathaniel Clyne, 6 – The no-nonsense defender was gritty and determined down the flank, but needs to do better with tracking his man. AFP -
Marc Guehi, 7 – Dealt with United’s forwards brilliantly, was calm on the ball and showed real class at the back for the hosts. Reuters -
Chris Richards, 5 – Showcased his pace on a consistent basis but was at risk of being a bit too clumsy, and could have easily given away a penalty. Getty -
Tyrick Mitchell, 5 – Needs to communicate better and be a bit more confident with his distribution, although he improved as the night went on. Action Images -
Michael Olise, 7 – It was an inconsistent display from Olise but in the end, none of that mattered courtesy of a gorgeous injury time free-kick. AFP -
Cheick Doucoure, 4 – The 23-year-old needed to be more physical and for the opener, he fell asleep and handed the Red Devils a huge advantage. Reuters -
Will Hughes, 7 – Won back possession on multiple occasions, tidied things up and had a really strong presence in the middle of the park. AFP -
Wilfried Zaha, 5 – Needed to find his way out of Wan-Bissaka’s pocket after a frustrating evening for the former United man. PA -
Odsonne Edouard, 6 – The forward forced a great save out of De Gea in the first half and generally produced some solid hold-up play throughout. AFP -
Jean-Philippe Mateta, 5 – Was blocked out of the game for long spells and had to sit deep so that he could get some time on the ball. AFP -
SUBS: Eberechi Eze, 5 – The substitute’s shooting, set pieces and overall play didn’t do much to influence Palace. AFP -
Jordan Ayew, N/A – Did well from a positional standpoint but rarely a threat to the United defence. AFP -
Jeffrey Schlupp, N/A – After a dull start, made some darting runs and won the free kick that led to the equaliser. Action Images -
Luka Milivojevic, N/A – A few key challenges gave the Eagles some hope late in the game. Getty -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea, 8 - Stretched to tip a 39th minute Edouard shot on to his bar and over. One of his best saves for United. Another top save on 75. Finally beaten by a brilliant free-kick in the 90th minute. Action Images -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 8 - Scrapped against his former team and had the better of his former teammate (and former MUFC player) Zaha, most notably in the final minute with a tackle. Positive turnaround for a player whose prospects looked grim as recently as last month. Reuters -
Raphael Varane, 8 - Did he do anything wrong? Won everything in the air. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez, 7 - First league start after winning the World Cup. The ball went to him more than any other player on the pitch and he passed well into midfield. Booked straight after the break. Getty -
Luke Shaw, 7 - Played well. Volleyed wide after 15, crossed for Weghorst on 30. Won a 37th minute free kick on one of his forward forays. Less effective, like his team, in the second half. AFP -
Casemiro, 8 - Superb again for 80. Always thinking ahead of the rest to anticipate and get in the best position. Blocked, won the ball back, never stopped working. United are so much better with the Brazilian. Yellow card a blow as he’ll miss Sunday’s game at Arsenal. Then he could have scored on 93 as the ball clipped his thigh. Action Images -
Christian Eriksen, 6 - Smartly set up Fernandes for the opener, cutting the ball back to confuse the Palace defence. Action Images -
Antony, 5 - United are working hard to improve him. Did well to get a 21st minute toward towards goal. Riled the home fans. A contradiction. Duelled with Richards. Predictable. Must do better. Action Images -
Bruno Fernandes, 7 - Early charge down the left. Argued with Antony. Shot wide after 33, then hit the target, with power, to put United ahead with his fourth of the season. He later cursed United not taking their chances to score a second. AFP -
Marcus Rashford, 6 - Eight goals since the World Cup, he struck a 38th minute free-kick wide. Looked casual as he passed to Eriksen, who casually set up Fernandes. Whacked a 63rd minute shot well wide and failed to score in a game for the first time in months. Action Images -
Wout Weghorst, 6 - Quiet debut for the loanee. Headed over after 30. Headed a 47th minute Palace free-kick away to show his defensive side. Some nice touches and linked up well. PA -
SUBS: Scott McTominay, 6 - On for Weghorst after 70 and appealed for a penalty within a minute. VAR turned him down, but McTominay was right to complain. Fouled by Hughes, who was booked. Reuters -
Garnacho, 6 - On for Antony after 69. Quiet, then shot on target after 92. Fred, 6 - On for Eriksen after 82. Had to avoid a booking and he did. Tidy. Getty
"This game was important. Every game is important," Ten Hag said.
"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.
Palace boss Patrick Vieira was pleased to pick up the point and insisted he was focusing on the Eagles’ next meeting in their tough run against top sides rather than his former club’s title chase.
“I have enough on my plate thinking about Newcastle,” the former Arsenal midfielder said.
“[Arsenal and United] will be a good game of football. I think two teams who [hope] to play Champions League football or winning the title.
“I think both teams can win the league because of the quality of players that they have. So I’ll be like you, watching the game.”
Palace later confirmed a second-half pitch invader, who forced play to be temporarily halted and took a selfie with Casemiro, was arrested.
“A single individual entered the field of play before being led away by security and was later arrested,” a club statement read.
