Casemiro sent off again as Man Utd held by Southampton
After tasting disaster last time out against rivals Liverpool, Erik ten Hag’s side once again endured a troublesome half of football, finishing the first period down to 10 men.
Having originally been awarded a yellow card by referee Anthony Taylor, Casemiro was eventually sent off after a VAR check for a reckless challenge on Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Leading with his studs, the Brazilian midfielder was sent off for the second time in three Premier League matches, having previously never been shown a straight red card during his 13 years as a professional player.
It was a low point in what had been a frustrating half for United, with the Reds having failed to shake off last weekend’s mauling at Anfield.
Prior to the sending-off, Theo Walcott had forced a strong save from David de Gea, but the England international’s header was placed too close to the Spanish shot-stopper.
At the opposite end of the pitch, the United players ended the half with an optimistic shout for a penalty, but protests that Armel Bella-Kotchap had handled inside the area were swiftly waved away by referee Taylor.
Already down a man, United were perhaps fortunate to have entered the interval still on level terms. Indebted to their goalkeeper, the home side would this time be thankful for the interventions of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and the woodwork.
The ex-Crystal Palace defender was in the right place at the right time to clear a deflected Kyle Walker-Peters cross off the goalline, before the Saints right-back hit the far left post himself with a rasping strike from range.
Elsewhere, Bruno Fernandes would see a speculative strike from outside the area pushed onto the post by Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, as United began pushing for an against-the-odds victory of their own.
Running out of time, the United efforts turned desperate, with the in-form Marcus Rashford appearing to go down under minimal to no contact from Bazunu, as referee Taylor once again stood unmoved by the shouts for a penalty.
Overall, both sides registered close to 30 combined efforts on goal, with neither able to find a breakthrough.
It means Rubén Sellés extends his impressive league record in charge of Southampton to three matches unbeaten out of four, as their survival challenge continues with a potentially season-defining point at Old Trafford.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton)
