Matt Le Tissier shares ‘frank’ Casemiro verdict after ‘criminal’ Man United incident
Casemiro needed to show a better understanding of the game and lead by example rather than getting needlessly sent-off in Man United’s 2-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday.
Former Southampton and England playmaker Matt Le Tissier exclusively told Football Insider that he believes that Casemiro was unlucky to be sent off against the Blues, but can have little complaints as he gave the referee the choice to even out the number of players on each side.
Man United were handed an advantage inside the first five minutes on Saturday when Robert Sanchez saw red for bringing down Bryan Mbeumo as the last man.
Ruben Amorim has been under pressure at Man United in recent weeks, but his side made the most of being a man up by going two goals ahead in the first period through Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.
Peter Bankes had booked the Brazilian midfielder for a late tackle on Enzo Fernandez in the 17th minute, and he received his marching orders not long after his goal in first-half added-time for a second yellow card following a tug on Andrey Santos’ shirt.
Le Tissier re-analyses Casemiro footage and explains what was ‘unfortunate’ about Man United sending-off
Casemiro’s second booking caused controversy for its seemingly innocuous nature, but the Premier League moved to clarify exactly why referee Bankes saw fit to show him red.
The Premier League insisted that Casemiro was given a second yellow for a holding offence that stopped a promising attack, and he also entered the history books as he became the first-ever Red Devils player to score and be sent off in the first half of a Premier League game.
Le Tissier exclusively told Football Insider that he believes Casemiro did not deserve his second booking against Chelsea, but he did make a mistake in not using his wealth of experience to manage himself more carefully on the pitch.
He said: “Casemiro received his fourth red card since he joined Manchester United. Personally, looking at the incident, I thought it was a little bit harsh, quite frankly. I’m not sure that he deserved a second yellow card, so I’ve got a little bit of sympathy for Casemiro with this particular red card.
“I don’t think I’ve had that much sympathy for the other ones that he has received, and at 33-years-of-age, he needs to show a little bit more understanding of the game, a little bit more experience, especially when you are playing against ten men.
“The one criminal thing you don’t do is let the referee have the chance to even up the numbers, and unfortunately he gave the referee a bit of a chance, but as I say, it was unfortunate.”
Casemiro’s Real Madrid record in stark contrast to his Man United career
Casemiro was never sent off in a La Liga game during his seven seasons as a regular in Real Madrid‘s midfield, but he earned two reds in his first season at United and now has four to his name in the last three years.
He looked to be in shock at the referee’s decision to show him a second yellow against Chelsea, but he did give him a decision to make and simply did not need to put such a tackle in at 2-0 up with the half-time whistle beckoning.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
| 130 | 18 | 12 | 31 | 4 |
Him entering the history books as the first United player to score and be sent off in the first half of a Premier League game effectively sums him up as a player, as he can do something top-draw with relative ease, then undo his good work with a poor moment in an instant.
Casemiro was linked with a move away from Man United in the summer, but he stayed to help them rise back to glory under Ruben Amorim, so now needs to stop with the senseless moments that could well cost his side going forward.