Manchester United midfielder Casemiro will be suspended for Sunday’s game against leaders Arsenal – and boss Erik ten Hag was trying to look for the positives.
“Last time we beat them without Casemiro, now we have to do the same,” he said.
The Gunners, eight points clear, have lost only once in the Premier League – in September 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
Casemiro played the last 10 minutes of this match, but all the goals had been scored before he came on.
However, he will not be on the pitch at Emirates Stadium after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season in his side’s fixture. Draw 1-1 at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
United had a 1-0 lead when Casemiro was booked for a late slot on Eagles striker Wilfried Zaha in the 80th minute.
And the visitors’ night was made even worse when Michael Olise equalized with a stunning free-kick in added time to ensure United, seeking to become champions for the first time since 2012-13, dropped two points.
United have lost just once in 20 matches in all competitions and are third, level on points with Manchester City and eight behind Arsenal.
But 30-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro has played a vital role in United’s resurgence since his £70m transfer from Real Madridwhere he won the Champions League five times.
“He’s a very important player for us and that’s why we’re in this position,” Ten Hag said.
“We were winning, controlling the game and having a moment of bad luck. We have to take that and move on and come up with the best plan for Arsenal.”
United goalkeeper David de Gea made two vital saves to deny Odsonne Edouard and Marc Guehi but couldn’t stop Olise’s superb 25-yard free kick, which went under the crossbar.
“If we want to win in these games, we have to control them until the end – we lost two points,” said De Gea.
“I was happy with my save in the first half. [tipping Edouard’s shot on to the crossbar] but the feeling at the end was not so good because we didn’t win.
“It’s a blow to lose Casemiro for Sunday. We’re now missing one of our best players for a big game and it’s a big loss for us.”
