Manchester United will face Everton without key midfielder Casemiro next month, after the Brazilian was sent off against Southampton on Sunday.
The 31-year-old was shown his marching orders at Old Trafford following a heavy lunge on Saints midfielder Carlos Alcaraz. Anthony Taylor originally brandished a yellow card, but the punishment was upgraded to a red after a VAR review.
The dismissal is Casemiro's second of the season, after he was also sent for an early bath against Crystal Palace last month. As a result, he must now serve a four-match ban. It means he will miss United's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Fulham next Sunday. And following the international break, he will also be forced to sit out the Red Devils' next three Premier League matches against Newcastle United, Brentford and latterly Everton.
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The development is a significant boost for Sean Dyche's side, who will visit Old Trafford on April 8 for a lunchtime kick-off. The former Real Madrid star has been a key player for Erik ten Hag since his arrival in January.
Everton's home win against Brentford on Saturday moved the Blues back out of the relegation zone, but they must now embark on a tough set of three fixtures, starting with a trip to Chelsea next weekend, before hosting Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on April 3 and finishing off with a trip down the East Lancs Road to face the Carabao Cup winners.
But they will not face Casemiro, who now won't be able to kick a ball in anger until April 15, when United visit Nottingham Forest.
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