Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Pivotal Man Utd star called out for ‘scandalous challenge’ that sees him banned for Arsenal showdown to leave Mikel Arteta ‘dancing around his living room’

Casemiro booked Crystal Palace v Man Utd

Jamie Redknapp claims Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will have ‘danced around his living room’ after seeing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro pick up a booking against Crystal Palace that will see him miss Sunday’s huge showdown at The Emirates.

The Brazilian received his fifth caution of the campaign, which automatically triggers a one-match suspension, against the Eagles and will now miss the game against the table-topping Gunners.

Palace’s Michael Olise scored a stunning last-minute free-kick to deny United a victory that would have taken them second in the Premier League.

United were on course for their 10th successive win after Bruno Fernandes scored just before half-time when he finished well following Christian Eriksen’s intelligent pull-back.

But Olise struck in dramatic style with a brilliant curling free-kick to ensure a point apiece.

The draw does take United above Newcastle into third. However, it keeps them behind rivals Manchester City, who play at home to Tottenham on Thursday.

And speaking after the game, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp pinpointed Casemiro‘s late booking as a potentially huge turning point in the title race.

He said: “From Manchester United’s point of view it couldn’t have gone any worse.

“Before the game we spoke about Casemiro. Don’t get a yellow card, don’t get in any real confrontations. It’s so important and they needed him on Sunday. But he gets booked in the 80th minute and it was is if from that moment it completely took the steam out of Man Utd.

“It affected them so much. They knew that their talisman, their most important player in that defensive role was gone [for Sunday].

Moment of madness from Casemiro

“It was a bit of a moment of madness but he was furious with his teammate Bruno Fernandes, who jumped out of a challenge and that’s why he ended up getting booked. It could even been a red card, it was a scandalous challenge.

“I could just see Mikel Arteta when they happened dancing around his living room because United have got no one who can do what Casemiro does in that team.”

As for Olise’s stunning effort that earned Palace a point, Redknapp added: “It’s the best free-kick of the season. It was a stroke of genius but I don’t understand why he didn’t celebrate. That is as good as it gets.”

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