Casemiro sees red as Southampton hold Man Utd at Old Trafford
Ten-man Manchester United were held to a goalless draw by bottom-placed Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. Eric ten Hag’s side were hoping to bounce back from their 7-0 humiliation by Liverpool last week, but they would consider themselves lucky as they held on for a point at home against the Saints.
Marcus Rashford had the first big chance of the game as he broke into the box with a darting run but his effort was well held by Gavin Bazunu in the Southampton goal. David De Gea then brilliantly kept out Theo Walcott’s header in the 23rd minute to keep the score goalless.
CASEMIRO SET TO MISS FOUR GAMES
The hosts were then reduced to men in the 33rd minute when Casemiro was sent off for a reckless challenge on Carlos Alcaraz as replays showed the Brazilian caught his opponent with a high-footed challenge.
Referee Anthony Taylor had initially shown a yellow card but overturned his decision to brandish a red following intervention from VAR. Casemiro is now set for a four-game suspension as it was the second time that the central midfielder was sent off this season.
Despite being a man down, United almost got the lead in the 39th minute but Bazunu came up with a terrific safe to deny Raphael Varane from close range. The visitors had two great chances to get themselves in front early in the second half.
sAINTS COME CLOSE TO GRAB THREE POINTS
First, Aaron Wan-Bissaka cleared the ball off the line after Scott McTominay had almost diverted Kyle Walker Peters’ cross into his own goal. Ward Prowse then struck the post with a brilliant free kick in the 54th minute as De Gea was left stranded in his goal.
United were also left by the hook in the 64th minute when Walcott, from a great position, following a Southampton break, saw his effort palmed out by De Gea.
United came closest to breaking the deadlock three minutes when Bruno Fernandes hit the post with a sensational 25-yard effort but it was Bazunu who got the slightest of touches to divert the ball onto the post. It was end to end at that point and it was Southampton who struck the post again when Walker-Peters smashed the left upright from the edge of the box following a corner.
United also lost Alejandro Garnacho due to injury and was pictured walking on crutches outside the stadium after the game. Neither side could get the winning goal and the result means United stay third with 50 points while Southampton are still bottom at the foot of the table, 2 points away from safety.
Photo Credit: Imago / Colorsport