Rio Ferdinand reckons Manchester United would have folded in previous seasons had they been reduced to ten men against Southampton as they were when Casemiro saw red on Sunday afternoon.
After lunging into a high challenge in the first half, Casemiro was initially shown a yellow card by the on-field referee, Anthony Taylor, before the punishment was upgraded to a straight red card following a VAR review.
While some observers would point to Southampton's precarious position in the standings to highlight it was two points dropped for United, their former defender-turned-pundit says Casemiro's red card actually offered them a platform to display new-found mettle - especially so early in the game.
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Speaking on his FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said: "The red card was a problem. For any team which goes down to 10 men, it becomes a problem. Casemiro's [fault] and it was a red card - no problem.
"If it was 11 men and we drew, then I would be saying this was quite a bad week. In the seasons gone by, if we had gone down to 10 men at home to Southampton - regardless of where they are in the league - we lose that game from that position."
Ferdinand was also pressed on United's interest in signing Harry Kane during the episode. On that subject, he added: "I would love to be able to sit here and say that I know Harry Kane is going to Manchester United as he would guarantee them 20 or 25 goals for the next three years...
"I would love him to, but the problem you have got is [Daniel] Levy. What price is he going to ask for?"
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