Manchester United could be without a key duo due to suspensionplaceholder image
Manchester United could be without a key duo due to suspension | Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd have a suspension risk ahead of their trip to face Crystal Palace this weekend.
Manchester United could be without two players over the festive period as a first-team duo walk a suspension tightrope this weekend. Ruben Amorim's side are back in action when they travel to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday and will have to show huge improvement from their defeat to Everton.
United's five-match unbeaten run came crashing to an end at Old Trafford on Monday night, as Everton won 1-0 despite the fact they played the majority of the match with just 10 men. Idrissa Gana Gueye was shown a bizarre red card after an altercation with teammate Michael Keane, but it appeared to galvanise the away side and inspire them to a famous win.
Everton's performance suggests United don't need a full allocation of players to win at Selhurst Park this weekend, though it would help them as they look to return to winning ways.
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Casemiro at risk of suspension
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is one yellow card away from serving an automatic one-match suspension in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old picked up his sixth booking of the season in the 1-0 defeat to Everton on Monday night, and will serve a one-match ban if he receives another during the next seven matches. Premier League rules state that a player must serve an automatic one-game suspension if they receive five cautions within the first 19 league games.
Casemiro has passed that threshold, but because he picked up two yellow cards and was subsequently sent off against Chelsea in September, he would still serve a ban for receiving a single booking in five separate matches.
There is an argument to suggest that the Brazil international is the most important player in the United first-team squad, due to the fact that there is such a huge drop-off without him on the pitch. Casemiro has started just two of their five defeats this season and United lost 3-1 when he was suspended for the trip to face Brentford earlier in the season. Of the 21 goals United have conceded this campaign, just six of them have occurred when he has been on the pitch.
Dorgu one booking away from a suspension
Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu is also one yellow card away from serving an automatic one-match suspension in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old received his fourth booking of the campaign in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur before the November international break, but did not pick up another against Everton. He has also been booked against Arsenal, Brentford and Brighton this season.
It means Dorgu will also serve a one-match ban if he is booked across the next seven league matches. Although his potential absence might not be as big a loss as Casemiro's, it could be a nightmare situation if he were suspended when United are already without Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo due to their forthcoming participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
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