ERIK TEN HAG faces a huge selection headache ahead of the game against Crystal Palace.
This is because midfield enforcers Casemiro and Fred face being BANNED for the weekend trip to Arsenal if they are booked against Palace.
United make the trip down to Selhurst Park on Wednesday and Ten Hag will be desperate for the Brazilian duo to be on their best behaviour throughout.
They both picked up a yellow card for their efforts in the comeback victory in the Manchester derby – with Casemiro providing an assist for Bruno Fernnandes’ controversial opener.
However, it means both now sit on four yellow cards for the season.
Premier League rules dictate players who receive five yellow cards within the first 19 games of the season will be slapped with a one-game ban.
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Following the derby, United have played 18 league games.
And this means Casemiro and Fred face a ban if they are unable to keep out of the referee’s book.
Both players importance to the victory over City cannot be overstated, while Casemiro in particular has been a transformative figure since his arrival at the club.
Indeed, following the 4-0 drubbing at Brentford earlier this season, Casemiro told his agent to tell United chiefs: “I’ll fix this.”
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This is exactly what he has done, and it has propelled Ten Hag’s squad into the Champions League spots.
Meanwhile, Fred has been used more as a rotational piece, with this tenacity proving useful to help close out games.
When United last faced Arsenal they ran out 3-1 winners, though both only came off the bench for that game.
The reverse game at Old Trafford has been the Gunners one and only defeat this season, and they are also fresh off the back of victory in the North London derby.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit nine points ahead of United, but should the Red Devils beat Palace and Arsenal they will be within three points of the league leaders – albeit with a game in hand.
Given Casemiro and Fred’s influence in big games so far this season, it is logical to feel that getting a result at the Emirates could be dependent on the availability of the pair.
United will also be bolstered by the arrival of Wout Weghorst on loan.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
