Erik ten Hag's reaction told the story as Manchester United midfielder Casemiro picked up a suspension which will keep him out of the game against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The former Real Madrid midfielder was walking a disciplinary tightrope going into Wednesday's game at Crystal Palace, knowing a yellow card at Selhurst Park would be his fifth of the season and earn him a one match ban. He stayed out of trouble for 80 minutes, only to then go into the book after chopping down ex-United winger Wilfried Zaha.
Ten Hag will have been well aware of the risk he took by picking the Brazil international, but felt he needed the summer signing involved in order to get a result against Patrick Vieira's side. Fred had been preparing to come on when the incident took place, with commentators suggesting the manager might have been on the verge of taking Casemiro off before he picked up the decisive booking.
