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Casemiro provides Leeds United with major boost in Manchester United win over Crystal Palace
Casemiro has handed Leeds United a major boost by getting himself sent off and suspended in Manchester United’s win over Crystal Palace.
The Brazilian midfielder was dismissed for putting both hands round the neck of Will Hughes in the 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday (4 February), during a melee following a clash between Antony and Jeff Schlupp.
As the red card was for violent conduct it carries an automatic three-game ban, which will mean Casemiro is missing for the double-header against the Whites on 8 and 12 February, as reported by BBC Sport’s Simon Stone.
Reporting via Twitter during the game on Saturday the BBC journalist wrote: “That means Casemiro out of both Leeds games and Leicester.”
He then followed up by sharing the confirmation from the Premier League as to how the card was being classified, writing: “Confirmed as violent conduct. Automatic 3-match ban.”
Timely
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The quirk of this season’s disrupted fixture list leaving Leeds United to play their old rivals twice in five days was strange, but has meant the benefit is doubled for the Whites.
With Jesse Marsch’s midfield being strengthened in January with the addition of Weston McKennie from Juventus, it will now have the added bonus of going up against an opposing unit without their leading operator.
Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek are also out long-term, while Scott McTominay is struggling for fitness as well [Premier Injuries].
So Leeds certainly have the opportunity to establish an advantage in the centre of the park in what is sure to be a heated pair of games.
The Whites need points even more after wins for Everton and Leicester this weekend, and with West Ham looking for a positive result at Newcastle.
So making the task somewhat simpler to pick some up against Erik ten Hag’s men has coming at a good time, although it is still sure to be a major test against the side that currently sits third in the Premier League.
In other Leeds United news, the club have held recent talks with a specialist left-back who they could now revisit in the summer.