Gary Neville thinks Manchester United would be taking too much a risk by appealing Casemiro’s red card because they will need him for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle later this month.
The Brazilian was sent for an early shower at the weekend when Crystal Palace visited Old Trafford. Andre Marriner gave him a red card for grabbing hold of Will Hughes’ shirt collar and he will subsequently miss United’s next three domestic games, which includes a double-header against Leeds.
Like with any appeal, however, United would risk the possibility of an extended ban that would rule Casemiro out of the Carabao Cup final.
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville is confident United can get over the upcoming hurdles against Leeds (home and away) and Leicester City. While that is possible, it’s always going to be a tougher task without our best player.
“He’ll never get off. It’s too big of a risk,” Neville said on his podcast via Sky Sports on Sunday. “They could risk another game and they could increase it so they won’t appeal it. I think they’ll feel they can get through the three games.
“It’ll be difficult for Ten Hag because he’s been the most important player for Manchester United, he’s held the ball well in midfield and Eriksen is obviously out as well.”
All things considered, Neville thought the red card was harsh, but says Casemiro took a chance by raising his hands towards Hughes.
“I thought it was harsh but I thought Erik ten Hag summed it up perfectly when he said he ‘took a risk’,” he added.
“If you put your hands one someone’s throat, even if it’s just one of them you can kind of protect yourself, but I think once you put two you’ve got an issue. And he’s basically taken a risk.
“(Casemiro is the sort of player that) makes a thousand fouls and never gets booked. Fabinho and Rodri are the same. Fernandinho. They’re brilliant at it.
“They’re outstanding at making sure a foul is not a yellow card – but he’s just been done a couple of times now.
“Even at the end of that scuffle, he ends up having a play with Will Hughes, but when you freeze it, it doesn’t look great. It looks like he’s strangling him.”
