Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has dropped his verdict on whether or not Manchester United star Casemiro should have been sent off for a second bookable offence.
Casemiro was fortunate enough to see out the first half of Manchester United’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Sunday.
The United midfielder escaped punishment until the 34th minute, with referee David Coote brandishing a yellow card after Casemiro tripped up Amari’i Bell.
Casemiro then carelessly lost the ball after a pass from Alejandro Garnacho and the former Real Madrid star immediately lunged in with a challenge to retrieve it.
However, Ross Barkley pounced on Casemiro’s mistake and the former Everton and Chelsea man was caught by the challenge from the United midfielder.
Casemiro avoided another booking from Coote – much to the dismay of Luton Town’s players and fans – and remained on the pitch until half-time.
Following half-time, Erik ten Hag hooked Casemiro off the pitch and replaced him with United midfielder Scott McTominay for the second half at Kenilworth Road.
Gallagher talks Man Utd and Casemiro
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher was asked for his two cents on Casemiro’s initial booking and the Brazilian’s challenge on Ross Barkley.
The former Premier League referee believes that Casemiro received his booking from referee David Coote for an “accumulation” of the previous challenges he committed.
However, Gallagher disagreed that the 31-year-old Manchester United star’s challenge on Barkley was enough to warrant a second yellow card.
“The yellow was for an accumulation; that was his fourth foul,” he said.
“With the next tackle, A, I didn’t think that was a yellow card and B, going back to what I said, the yellow was for four fouls.
“This is the first foul after it, so it’s a matter for the referee and how he’s totting it up.
“He’s obviously said to Casemiro after the third foul that he’s going to book him for the next one, which he did.
“When that next tackle occurs and all the Luton players are angry, I think he should hook Casemiro out and tell him where he’s going to be [booked again] if he continues like that.”
Ten Hag reacts to Casemiro’s discipline
Following United’s 2-1 win over Luton Town, United manager Erik ten Hag revealed that he had spoken with Casemiro over his careless challenges on the pitch.
The Dutchman said his decision to withdraw Casemiro at half-time was tactical and admitted that the United player “could have easily” been sent off in the first half.
“I spoke already with him, but it looks like even when he is not touching opponents, he is getting booked,” Ten Hag said at his post-match press conference.
“Often in the first moment in the game and I think today this was similar. I think his first booking is so unfair.
“The referee could have easily given him a second booking and that is why we took him off.
“It is difficult then to [be cautious] when you haven’t even touched an opponent. Then you get booked.”
