“Game changed due to Casemiro’s red card” – David de Gea reacts after frustrating 0-0 draw with Southampton
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea believes that Casemiro was unlucky to get his marching orders against Southampton.
At the half-hour mark, Casemiro was sent off just when United were trying to make inroads into the game.
The midfielder first received a yellow card for his lunging tackle but the referee swapped it with a red card after looking at the instance on the monitor.
De Gea admitted that the red card was the defining moment of the game.
He told (via ManUtd.com), “Before the game, we wanted to win three points, but the game changed when Case (Casemiro) got sent off. It was very tough, but I think the team did well.
“We defended and then I think we had a couple of good chances to score a goal and win the game.
“At the end, we have to take the point and it shows great team spirit, how we fought to the end.
“The tackle was a normal tackle. But then, he touched the ball and the ball made his leg go a little higher and he hit the player from Southampton. He was very unlucky.
“We suffered a bit. To play for 70 minutes with 10 players is tough. But like I say, we showed good team spirit and we kept trying till the end and we nearly scored a goal.”
With United reduced to 10 men, De Gea had to endure a busier afternoon than he had imagined before the kickoff.
He pulled off a big reflex save from Theo Walcott midway through the first half. The former Arsenal forward ghosted past Luke Shaw to head the ball but his strike went straight at the shot-stopper.
After a horror performance in the mid-week against Real Betis, many eyes were on the Spanish goalkeeper this evening.
His ball distribution was appalling in the previous game, often putting pressure on his teammates.
His kicking was much better today which will be a relief for the 32-year-old.
Manchester United next faces Real Betis at Benito Villamarin on Thursday night in the second leg of the Europa League last 16 tie.
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