Manchester United 0-0 Southampton: Casemiro sent off as Erik ten Hag's side held at home by Saints
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Updated 12/03/2023 at 20:23 GMT
Manchester United might have been looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after their 7-0 humiliation against Liverpool last week, but it was not the outcome that Erik ten Hag would have wanted as his side were held by Southampton at Old Trafford in a goalless draw. To make matters worse, midfielder Casemiro was shown the red card in the first half.
Ten Hag criticises 'inconsistent' officials after Casemiro sees red again
Manchester United saw Casemiro sent off in the first half as they drew 0-0 in a frenetic match with Southampton on Sunday afternoon.
United were looking to get back to winning ways in the league after their 7-0 defeat to Liverpool last week, while a win for Southampton would have lifted them out of the bottom three after their struggles so far this season.
Both sides had chances, with Raphael Varane going close for United, and Theo Walcott bringing an excellent save from David De Gea, but the big story of the first half was Casemiro seeing red for the second time this season, for a studs-up challenge on Carlos Alcaraz.
In the second half, Southampton stretched United who were slack in possession and rattled from the constant pressing of their opponents, with James Ward-Prowse and Walcott going close, though United also hit the woodwork through Bruno Fernandes.
Despite the loose play and attacking intent from both sides, neither made a breakthrough.
While United remain in third place, Southampton also fail to move up from their spot at the bottom of the table but they are just two points from safety.
Talking point - Casemiro’s second red is a concern
At 30, Casemiro has plenty of experience at the top of world football, but both his red cards might raise suspicions over why Real Madrid were willing to sell him - the youngest of their trio with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
The loss of temper with Will Hughes came first, and at his age that is the kind of mistake you should not be making anymore, but Sunday’s red was more of a concern.
Never the quickest player, if he had been more swift with his reactions then he wouldn’t have needed to lunge in so wildly. It is not a disaster, yet, but the Brazilian misses some important matches now.
Player of the match - James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
In truth, he offers very little beyond his dead-ball threat, but against United that was enough to almost score the winner from a couple of free kicks.
Player ratings
Man Utd: De Gea 6, Wan-Bissaka 5, Shaw 6, Martinez 6, Varane 6, Casemiro 5, Fernandes 7, Rashford 6, Sancho 6, Antony 7, Weghorst 6. Subs: Maguire 6, Fred 6, McTominay 6, Pellistri 6, Garnacho 6.
Southampton: Bazunu 7, Walker-Peters 6, Bednarek 6, Bella-Kotchap 6, Perraud 6, Lavia 7, Ward-Prowse 7, Alcaraz 7, Walcott 6, Kamaldeen 6, Adams 6. Subs: S Armstrong 6, Mara 6, A Armstrong 6, Onuachu 6.
Key events
24’ - WONDERFUL DE GEA SAVE - Walcott gets across his marker with a diving header, and De Gea leaps to flick a powerful header over the bar.
34’ - CASEMIRO IS OFF - The Brazilian midfielder has his head in his hands as his studs-up challenge has been deemed a red card. Those are the rules, and the hurt player consoles him, which does demonstrate that it's an unfortunate red card, even if there can be little argument given the rules as they are.
39’ - VARANE CHANCE - Reaching the back post it's Bazunu who produces a great stop to push it away again.
49’- SO CLOSE FOR SOUTHAMPTON - McTominay almost puts into his own net, past De Gea, but Wan-Bissaka slides in to rescue it!
54’ - WARD-PROWSE FREE KICK - His curling effort clips the top of the woodwork, with De Gea beaten.
68’ - FERNANDES HITS THE POST - Some quick passing opens up space for Fernandes to poke a shot at goal that brushes past Bazunu's hand, but against the post.
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