TEARS NOT LAUGHS AFTER THIS EARLY BATH

CASEMIRO has collected as many red cards for Manchester United in less than a season as he did over a decade with Real Madrid. The Brazilian, 31, was in tears after VAR ruled his challenge on Carlos Alcaraz constituted foul play. It was a running joke in Spain that he was sent off only twice through his career at the Bernabeu, against Valladolid in 2019 and Barcelona two years later, when he laughed at the Barca bench on his way off the pitch.

His luck has changed for the worst in England despite being a major influence on Erik ten Hag’s team. He was dismissed against Crystal Palace on February 4 when VAR decided he had grabbed Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes by the throat when other angles suggested he had been holding the opponent’s shirt. Yesterday, referee Anthony Taylor initially gave him a yellow before consulting his screen.

THE last time United had a home league game following a 7-0 defeat (against Wolves in 1931), just 6,056 turned up at Old Trafford to see their game against Bradford Park Avenue which they also lost, 2-0. It may give a bit of perspective to anyone who thought getting thrashed a week ago represented the lowest point in the club’s history.