Manchester United have the chance to move within five points of league leaders Arsenal this weekend as the Gunners welcome United to the Emirates Stadium.
Erik ten Hag’s men missed the chance to extend their winning run to ten games earlier this week as Crystal Palace snatched a draw in the closing moments.
United’s failure to win for the first time in 2023 was not the main talking point, however. Casemiro, who has been in stellar form since joining the Reds from Real Madrid last summer, picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and will miss the game against Arsenal as a result.
Casemiro has had a huge impact since Ten Hag blooded him into the side and although no one knows what United will look like without the Brazil star, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has downplayed the idea of it being an advantage for the London club, insisting United still have an incredible squad.
“Again, it’s something that we can’t control,” Arteta is quoted as saying by the official Arsenal website.
“He didn’t play in our first game either and we still didn’t do enough to win that match. When you look at the squad that they have, it’s just incredible.
“The individuals and the collective organisation can beat any opponent in this league and we’ll plan the game knowing that [Casemiro] is not available, that’s for sure.”
SN’s verdict…
It goes without saying that Casemiro’s presence on the pitch will be sorely missed by United but his absence offers Scott McTominay the chance to flourish and showcase some of the form that kept Casemiro out of the side for his first month.
McTominay starred in midfield in the 3-1 win over Arsenal earlier this season and the Scotland international will be hoping to repeat that feat on Sunday.
Victory over Arsenal will give United confidence that they can go and win this league and from a supporter’s perspective, it’s almost an obligation to start dreaming.
