David de Gea feels Casemiro was “unlucky” to be sent off against Southampton

Speaking to the media after the game, Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea feels that Casemiro was “unlucky” to be sent off against Southampton.

Just after the half-hour mark in the game, Casemiro lunged into an uncontrolled tackle on Carlos Alcaraz. The referee Anthony Taylor initially gave the foul and brandished a yellow card at the Brazilian.

Minutes later though, he was ordered by the VAR to look at that challenge on the monitor. Upon first glance, there was enough evidence for him to overrule his decision and send the Brazilian off. If we look at the replays, it was the right decision.

De Gea felt differently though. Here’s what he said (h/t Manchester Evening News):

“The team showed great spirit. We fought until the end and we could have lost the game, or won the game, but we showed good spirit. The tackle [Casemiro tackle] was a normal tackle, he touched the ball.

“But his leg went a bit higher and hit the player from Southampton. I think it was a bit unlucky, to be honest. We had to suffer a bit, we had to play 70 minutes with 10 players but we showed spirit and kept trying until the end.”

In any era of football, irrespective of whether the player has got the ball, if his tackle is out of control, that is endangering the opponent physically. So, in the rulebook that is a red card. So, in whichever way we try and spin it, there is no justification for that.

Looking at Casemiro’s reaction after the decision, he kind of accepted the fate rather than feeling surprised or gesticulating with the referee.

Once we were down to 10 men, it was expected that Southampton will make the game open and create chances. We owe massive thanks to the goalpost and de Gea for saving a few clear chances for the Saints.

Bruno Fernandes hit the post as well, but it was clear in the second half that the team is running out of legs.

More Manchester United News:

• Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag provides injury updates on Anthony Martial and Christian Eriksen
• Erik ten Hag won’t ignore the kicking issues displayed by David de Gea against Real Betis
• Lisandro Martinez believes Manchester United showed more fight in second half to beat Real Betis

When Erik ten Hag brought Harry Maguire on later in the second half, it showed that the manager is happy with a point rather than risk losing that as well in search of the winning goal. Casemiro will now miss four games which is a greater worry for the manager going forward.