Former Premier League referee Graham Poll insists Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has failed to "adapt" his approach following his second sending-off of the season.
The Brazilian international, who joined United in a big-money deal from Spanish giants Real Madrid last summer, was dismissed during the first half of Sunday's goalless draw with Southampton at Old Trafford. After initially being shown a yellow card for a hefty challenge on Saints midfielder Carlos Alcaraz, VAR ordered on-field referee Anthony Taylor to review the decision on the pitchside monitor.
Taylor then made the decision to brandish a red card in the United midfielder's direction, sending him for an early bath for the second time in his last three Premier League appearances. It means he must now serve a four-game domestic ban, ruling him out of Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham and the Premier League meetings with Newcastle United, Brentford and Everton immediately after the international break.
READ MORE: Raphael Varane explains how United will cope without Casemiro
There was a debate about whether or not Taylor was right to have sent-off the defensive-midfielder, though in the laws of the game he was left with little choice. However, some United fans have claimed that Casemiro is being victimised by the officials, pointing to the fact that both of his red cards this season have been awarded after an intervention by VAR.
However, former referee Poll, who officiated Premier League fixtures between 1993 and 2007, has rubbished such suggestions, claiming that Casemiro needs to learn from his mistakes.
"When I was refereeing I can, with clear conscience, say that I NEVER 'targeted' a player," Poll told bettingsites.co.uk. "When impartiality is your watchword how could you?
"Of course there are players who are more physical and therefore more likely to be disciplined by the referee and Casemiro clearly fits into that category. Casemiro, having attracted so many disciplinary cards recently clearly hasn't learned to adapt his approach and his manager will, I hope, advise him to do so."
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