Manchester United suffered a frustrating afternoon in the English Premier League, Sunday, when they were held to a goalless draw with bottom club Southampton by sending off midfielder Casemiro.
Casemiro’s dismissal in the 34th minute from a dangerously high penalty against Carlos Alcaraz gave the visitors confidence and set up an entertaining game with ample chances at both ends.
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United captain Bruno Fernandes closed in on the hosts in the second half with a low shot off the post while prolific striker Marcus Rashford fired a perfect one-on-one with Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazuno in the first half.
Southampton wasted a series of chances, seeing Theo Walcott header from scratch and curling shot brilliantly topped by David De Gea, while Kyle Walker-Peters hit the post and James Ward-Prowse saw two free kicks.
The result was not what United manager Erik ten Hag wanted after last week’s 7-0 defeat of Liverpool in the league and was a disappointing follow-up to the 4-1 Europa League win over Real Betis in midweek.
Manchester United remained in third place in the league, with 50 points, 16 points behind leaders Arsenal, while Southampton remained at the bottom of the standings, with 22 points, two points away from safety in a heated battle against relegation to the Championship.
Home fans at Old Trafford have been outraged by a series of appeals over penalty kicks rejected by referee Anthony Taylor.
Much to their ire, the referee originally gave Casemiro a yellow card before changing it to red after a video check.