Manchester United will be without midfield star Casemiro until next month - domestically at least - after the Brazilian enforcer was sent off in the Reds' goalless draw with Southampton at the weekend.
Erik ten Hag's side were reduced to 10-men in the 34th minute of their clash with the Saints on Sunday, with Casemiro shown a straight red card for a challenge on Carlos Alcaraz. The former Real Madrid man was given a four-match suspension due to receiving his second red card of the campaign, one for violent conduct and one for serious foul play.
The game against Ruben Selles' side was only Casemiro's second appearance since returning from his most-recent ban, which the 31-year-old picked up five weeks ago against Crystal Palace. Casemiro will be missing for United's FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on March 19 and three subsequent Premier League matches.
ALSO READ: Manchester United set to hire lead data scientist
He will be absent for the top-flight games against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton, but will return for the clash with Nottingham Forest on April 15.
Casemiro's suspension comes as a major blow to Ten Hag, with the Reds conceding more goals and recording fewer wins and points when the midfielder is not starting. In the 15 games the Brazilian ace has started, United have registered 1.4 goals per match, 2.1 points per match and boast a 66 per cent win rate. Moreover, they concede just 1.1 goals per match on average.
In the 11 games the five-time Champions League winner has not been in the starting line-up, the Reds have registered 1.8 goals per match. However, they have recorded just 1.7 points per match and have a 54.5 per cent win rate. Ten Hag's side also concede more when he is not starting, letting in 1.7 goals per match on average.
Despite this, United have demonstrated that they can come up with a Plan B in the Brazilian's absence. While the stats without him in the side are telling, United dropped only two of a possible nine points without the midfielder last month against Leeds United, twice, and Leicester City.
Casemiro has made 37 appearances for United since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer, registering five goals and five assists this term.
READ NEXT:
