In a match marked by the players of both teams getting involved in a total free-for-all, Manchester United managed to hold on to their 2-1 lead desperately surviving the last few minutes without star forward Casemiro. Casemiro was given marching orders after video reviews showed him grabbing a Crystal Palace player by the neck.
The hosts were in complete control in the first 45 minutes, going on the lead through a penalty taken by Bruno Fernandes. A seventh-minute VAR review punished Palace after Will Hughes was penalized for a handball.
Manchester United doubled the lead when Marcus Rashford slotted home in the 62nd minute for Erik ten Hag’s team. He stabbed home a cross from Luke Shaw from close range. But the game threatened to go out of United’s control when Casemiro collected a straight red card after reviews showed that he had grabbed Hughes’s neck after the clash between Schlupp and Antony.
Schlupp then managed to put in one for Palace. The lifeline came after a looping ball was just scrambled home by the player over David de Gea’s head.
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Palace had several chances after Casemiro’s departure to find the equalizer as Manchester United struggled with ten players. But they failed to capitalize even after coming close several times.
With this win, United climb briefly to the third place though Newcastle has a game later today. VAR Tony Harrington spotted Casemiro grabbing Hughes by the neck during the melee at the touchline. With the match spinning out of control after Casemiro’s exit, some resolute defending and a bit of luck ensured that United stay in the third position for now.
Casemiro is now out for the next three games but will be back just in time for the Carabao Cup vs Newcastle on February 26.