Raphael Varane admits Casemiro will be a huge miss for Manchester United while he serves a four-match suspension, but is confident his team has the quality to cope with his absence.
The Brazil midfielder faces a four-match suspension after being sent off in the first half of United's goalless draw with Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Casemiro was dismissed after 34 minutes following a VAR check, having initially only been cautioned by referee Anthony Taylor for a heavy challenge on Carlos Alcaraz.
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VAR ordered Taylor to review the decision and go across to the pitchside monitor. Upon review, the experienced referee made the decision to show Casemiro his second red card in just his last three Premier League appearances.
"He's a player who's very important for us," Varane told reporters after the draw with Southampton. "He brings balance to the team and to the squad. But we have a great squad and we have to find another balance without him, but we have good players in every position on the pitch and we're ready for the next games."
Casemiro was also sent off during last month's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace and, as a result, was suspended for the back-to-back clashes with Leeds United and the 3-0 win over Leicester.
The French defender was then asked if it was unusual for Casemiro to receive another red card in his short time at United, given how good his disciplinary record was at Real Madrid.
He added: "Yeah I think he was very disappointed because nobody wants to get out of the pitch before the end but as I say it's part of football. It was obviously very disappointing, but we can focus on the next games, and that's it."
United played an hour with only 10-men but still had chances to win the match themselves and Varane was pleased with the fighting spirit his side showed to try and win the game.
"Definitely. We knew we needed to run a little bit more, to be a bit more defensive but we reacted as a team, as a group and with a good mentality. We fight for each other. The crowd as well. We feel the support. I think we can be proud of the fighting spirit, obviously disappointed by the result but great teamwork today."
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