DAVID DE GEA is confident Manchester United have the squad depth to cope without the suspended Casemiro.
The Brazilian midfielder, 30, has been superb for the Red Devils this season but is suspended after being sent off in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Casemiro will miss the next three domestic games after grabbing Will Hughes by the throat.
And goalkeeper De Gea believes Marcel Sabitzer is “ready to play” in Casemiro’s absence.
The Austrian international joined on loan in January following a long-term injury to Christian Eriksen.
Eriksen’s absence, plus Casemiro’s suspension, makes Sabitzer a likely starter for the next three domestic matches.
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He came off the bench late on in Saturday’s win over the Eagles.
De Gea said: “It’s going to be tough for sure. We already lost Christian, now Casemiro: big players for us.
“But we have a bigger squad, players are ready to play, everyone is really focused.
“Sabitzer showed already – he played 15 to 20 minutes and he did really well, made some good tackles, he is good with the ball. And, everyone is ready to play.”
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De Gea added on Sabitzer: “He’s an experienced guy – he played a lot of games in the Bundesliga, is a nice guy – it’s good for the dressing room.
“It’s not easy to come in a game when we’re one man less, he showed good spirit, he’s going to help the team a lot.”
United’s next two Premier League games are against rivals Leeds, followed by the Europa League meeting with Barcelona, which Casemiro is eligible to play in.
He will then serve the final game of his suspension against Leicester before returning for the second leg against Barca and the Carabao Cup final clash against Newcastle.
But Sabitzer appears ready to fill in for the Brazilian, with boss Erik ten Hag praising his understanding of the game following his debut.
He told MUTV: “Yeah he understands football. You see straight from the start.
“We have already seen that in the training as well. But, yeah, he did quite well.
“He’s really composed on the ball and he knows how to defend.
“We need such a player who understands the game and will bring also the right spirit in.”
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There is scenario where Casemiro also misses the Carabao Cup final.
If United appeal the red card, and the FA disciplinary panel reject it and deem it to be “frivolous”, then an extra game will be added to his suspension.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
