sport news Man United 2-1 Crystal Palace: Erik ten Hag's side hang on for three points ... trends now
What is it about Casemiro and Crystal Palace? Seventeen days had passed since his needless yellow card at Selhurst Park sent Manchester United into a spin as they through away the lead in injury-time. This time it was a red and the outcome was so nearly the same for Erik ten Hag.
United seemed to be in control and cruising to victory here at Old Trafford, as they had been in south London last month. Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford looked to have taken the game away from Palace this time.
But it all threatened to unravel again in the 66th minute from the most unlikely to scenarios. United had a throw-in level with the Palace box, but as Antony received the ball and tried to shield it, Jeffrey Schlupp ploughed into the back of the Brazilian and barged him off the pitch.
Casemiro was first on the scene to defend his compatriot as he pushed Schlupp in the chest, and Antony sprang off the floor to barge him as well. The rest of the players steamed as tempers boiled over and a 20-man melee threatened to get completely out of hand.
As referee Andre Marriner waited to restore order and mete out the appropriate punishments, he was informed by VAR official Tony Harrington that Casemiro's stranglehold on Will Hughes might be worth a second look.
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro was sent off after he grabbed Will Hughes by the throat during a mass bust-up
The Brazilian lost his temper and grabbed Hughes by the throat during an incident that was spotted by the VAR officials
The second-half flashpoint involved multiple players from both United and Palace, leading to Casemiro's red card
The Brazilian couldn't hide his disappointment and frustration as he made the long walk to the Old Trafford tunnel
Marriner went to the monitor and agreed with Harrington for the second time in the game, having earlier penalised Hughes for handball.
Casemiro was off and once again United will be left counting the cost. When he was booked for a foul on Wilfried Zaha at Selhurst Park, it triggered an immediate one-match ban. United lost their heads in the dying minutes of that game as Michael Olise equalised in injury-time, and then lost at Arsenal four days later without their midfield talisman.
Casemiro will be missing for three games this time – two potentially feisty affairs against Leeds home and away, and the game against Leicester here at Old Trafford. His loss cannot be understated.
At least on this occasion, United held on to win despite Schlupp of all people scoring to make it a far more nervy ending than it should have been.
Ten Hag had named new loan signing Marcel Sabitzer on the bench but there was no sign of Anthony Martial who, infuriatingly for the manager, was injured again after making a goalscoring comeback against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
Patrick Vieira was also able to put his January signings on the bench with Naouirou Ahamada, purchased from Stuttgart for £10.6million, and Albert Lokonga, on loan from Arsenal, sat together.
Unfortunately for the Palace boss, parity lasted less than seven minutes following an incident in the fourth minute that took a little while to sort out.
Marcus Rashford had given United breathing space by scoring their second goal not long before Casemiro's red card
The in-form striker turned home a low driven cross by Luke Shaw to give United a well-merited two-goal advantage
