Manchester United's goalless draw with Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon was overshadowed by Casemiro's first-half dismissal.
The Brazilian, who has been exceptional since joining United from Real Madrid last summer, was sent off with 34 minutes on the clock following a VAR review. The midfielder was initially booked for a heavy challenge on Saints midfielder Carlos Alcaraz by referee Anthony Taylor, only for VAR to intervene and send Taylor to the pitchside monitor to review the decision.
The experienced Premier League referee then decided to brandish a red card, marking Casemiro's second dismissal in just three league appearances. He was previously sent off during last month's win over Crystal Palace.
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As it marked his second red card of the campaign, Casemiro will now miss United's next four domestic matches, ruling him out of Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham and the three Premier League fixtures with Newcastle United, Brentford and Everton after the international break. He will, however, be available for Thursday night's Europa League clash with Real Betis in Spain.
But as the business end of the season approaches, United, with fellow midfielder Christian Eriksen already sidelined through injury, could not have wished for a worse scenario, especially after only recently getting Casemiro back from his previous ban. Nevertheless, it is a situation that the Reds must work with and attempt to overcome.
With United's midfield options now proving limited, MEN Sport has taken a close look at three ways United could line up during Casemiro's period of absence:
McTominay comes in
Casemiro's premature exit on Sunday meant that Scott McTominay stepped off the bench just before half-time to replace Wout Weghorst in a tactical reset. He took up residency in the defensive-midfield berth and is United's only other out-and-out defensive-midfield option without Casemiro.
Though he is not at the same level as Casemiro, both with and without the ball, he is the most logical replacement to temporarily slot in for the former Madrid man, certainly if Ten Hag deploys his preferred 4-3-3 system. It is a formation that would require either Marcel Sabitzer or Fred to slot in alongside him.
That would allow Bruno Fernandes to occupy the advanced-midfield berth and pull the strings. It is also a system that would see two natural wingers support a lone striker.
Fred picks up the Brazilian baton
Though he started the draw with Southampton from the bench, Fred has been a regular fixture for Ten Hag in recent weeks because of Eriksen's unavailability. The Brazilian has started five of the Reds' last six Premier League matches, as well as the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United and the last three Europa League matches.
However, he is not of the same defensive mindset as Casemiro, meaning he would not provide the same defensive nous or protection for the back-four. Fred, however, does have plenty of energy to get around the pitch and disrupt things. He is also proactive and can often be key in instigating counter-attacks.
While it is a system that Ten Hag would probably be more willing to risk at Old Trafford, as opposed to away from home, Fred could be accompanied by Fernandes in one of the two deeper roles in a 4-2-3-1 system. That would allow an extra attacker to be part of a front-four.
Sabitzer and Fred work in tandem
Could Ten Hag return to the tried and tested formula? The last time Casemiro was suspended, the Dutchman turned to Fred and Sabitzer to team up and occupy the two deep-lying midfield roles.
Though neither of them are seasoned defensive-midfielders, they have enough experience and quality within their respective lockers to serve United well during the Brazilian's period of absence. Sabitzer, although he has missed the last two games through injury, has shown flashes of promise in recent weeks, delivering a handful of under-appreciated performances.
He was excellent in the 3-0 win over Leicester City last month and will be hoping, should he soon recover from injury, to show what he is capable of. If he did partner Fred, it would mean Fernandes could retain his natural No.10 position.
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