Ten Hag talks down Casemiro absence …ahead of Arsenal game
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reminded Arsenal that his side were able to beat them without Casemiro after the talismanic midfielder was suspended for Sunday’s crunch trip to the Emirates.
Casemiro picked up a yellow card with 10 minutes to go of United’s 1-1 draw away at Crystal Palace for a foul on Wilfried Zaha, his fifth booking of the campaign, which results in a one-match suspension.
After Michael Olise’s sensational free-kick snatched a draw for Palace in stoppage-time, United head to the Emirates in third, eight points behind Arsenal.
United remain the only side to have beaten Arsenal in the Premier League this season and Ten Hag has told his players it is up to them to make up for Casemiro’s absence.
“Last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro,” said Ten Hag.
“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.
“We have a squad and we have to fill that gap and make a proper plan and the squad has to fill it. As a team, we already showed how to beat Arsenal.”
Reacting to Casemiro’s challenge on Zaha, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: “I think it’s instinctive, he went for the ball.
“He missed the ball but it’s quite clear, on our right side, it could have been a dangerous situation. He wants to stop it. That was his reaction, it was quite clear.
“Last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro, so this time we have to do the same.” – Sky Sports
