Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has insisted his former club must work hard to beat Arsenal on Sunday, especially after Casemiro’s absence.
The Brazilian was warned on Wednesday at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace, so he is serving a one-match suspension on Sunday, as his teammates will face the Gunners.
Looking ahead, Neville reduced United’s chances of winning without Casemiro.
Neville, however, did not miss the opportunity of the “red devils” to implement the unexpected.
He told Sky Sports via The Mirror: “Last time they (United) beat them (Arsenal) without Casemiro. They will need to play very well, defend well, especially in the first half hour when Arsenal are electrified, but they don’t have a great bench.
“If you pass this first period of the game, you will encounter what you will encounter later in the game. They had such a problem against Newcastle, who defended very well against them.
“But Arsenal are in great shape, the clear favorite for the match without Casemiro.”
The former United defender reiterated that Casemiro’s suspension is a big blow for Eric ten Haga and the team.
Neville, however, backed Ten Hag’s decision to play the midfielder against Palace after suggestions he made a mistake by putting him on the pitch knowing the player was walking a tightrope.
The Sky Sports expert added that the referee made the right decision to punish Casemiro, and it was a foul on Wilfried Zaa.
As Ten Hag mentioned after the Palace game, United beat Arsenal at Old Trafford without Casemiro, who came on as a substitute later.
United must try to do it again, but they face a difficult task — to get ahead of their rivals.
