16 January 2023 , 21:14
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has a decision to make on Casemiro, with the Brazil midfielder at risk of missing Sunday's game against Arsenal if he picks up a yellow card in midweek.
United remain the only team to have beaten Mikel Arteta's Gunners in the league this season, winning 3-1 at Old Trafford in September. They sit nine points adrift of the league leaders ahead of the trip to the Emirates Stadium, but have a game against Crystal Palace to navigate before then.
If Casemiro is booked at Selhurst Park on Wednesday, it would be his fifth yellow of the season, resulting in a one-match ban. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that Fred - in contention to step in if his compatriot is rested - is also one yellow card away from a suspension.
Signed from Real Madrid in a £60m summer deal, Casemiro has grown into a key part of Ten Hag's side after being eased into first-team action. However, the tough-tackling midfielder hasn't entirely stayed out of trouble, picking up two yellow cards in United games before the World Cup and two since, including going into the book on Saturday as his team won the Manchester Derby.
Fred hasn't always been a regular fixture in the side, but the 29-year-old made his first league start since October against Manchester City. Both midfielders were cautioned late on during the win, Fred in the 88th minute and Casemiro in the 89th.
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One option for United could be to rest both men for Palace, allowing Scott McTominay to start and using Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role to the one he occupied on Saturday. The midweek game is the last in which a fifth booking of the season would see a Man Utd player banned - after the midpoint of the season, yellow card suspensions only apply to players with 10 bookings.
Should Man Utd rest Casemiro or Fred against Palace? Have your say in the comments section
Casemiro already has four yellow cards in the league this season (Getty Images)Victory against Crystal Palace would see United climb to second spot, at least temporarily. Manchester City could then overtake them on Thursday, though, with the reigning champions hosting Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium.
“We have improved, that is obvious,” United boss Ten Hag said after goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford helped his team come from behind to win the derby. “There is still a long way to go but we have a lot of aspects in our game we have to improve but we are progressing.
“The fans may dream but we are not, we have to keep our feet on the ground and face that our game has a lot to improve. It can’t happen that after half-time we are losing so much control in the game.”