Manchester United fans can’t believe Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia went unpunished for what they thought was the same tackle which resulted in Casemiro’s red card.
Last Sunday, United were playing Southampton in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
However, the Red Devils were reduced to 10 men after Brazilian star Casemiro was sent off for a rash challenge on Carlos Alcaraz.
At the time, many felt the decision was harsh as Casemiro intended to play the ball and only went slightly over the top.
During Wednesday night’s Premier League clash between Southampton and Brentford, Saints midfielder Lavia went in for a challenge with Christian Norgaard. After seeing the challenge, United fans took to social media to question the consistency of the officiating in the top flight.
One said: “Lavia did the EXACT same challenge as Casemiro did at the weekend, tonight. No red card.”
Another tweeted: “Lavia just made the exact same tackle as Casemiro (even worse) but no red card. Where’s the consistency @premierleague?”
A third fan added: “This tackle from Lavia is worse than that of Casemiro. Where’s the consistency @premierleague?”
Someone else wrote: “So I see Romeo Lavia made the same tackle as Casemiro did at the weekend (but worse) and didn’t even get a booking then.”
Whilst a fifth commented: “Someone tell me the difference between Casemiro and Lavia tackle?”
On Casemiro’s red card, United boss Erik ten Hag said: “Casemiro played over 500 games in Europe and never once got a red card.
“Now he has two in the Premier League. His absence is not the issue. We will deal with that. This game was influenced by the referee.”
Whilst goalkeeper David de Gea added: “I think Casemiro was unlucky. He tried to touch the ball and his foot came up high. I think the referees need to show more consistency.
“Sometimes they show a red card and sometimes they don’t… It’s going to be tough [without him], he’s a big player. We will miss him for four games but we have a big squad. We have players coming from the bench who do well. We will keep working hard.”
Antony made promise to Casemiro after Man United star was sent off against Southampton
Antony made a ‘promise’ to Casemiro immediately after he was sent off for Manchester United against Southampton on Sunday.
Casemiro was shown a straight red card following a VAR review in Man United’s goalless draw with Southampton at Old Trafford.
The Brazilian, who was also sent off against Crystal Palace just last month, overcommitted in his tackle on Carlos Alcaraz, resulting in a red card.
Antony and Lisandro Martinez consoled the star midfielder, who slowly trudged off the pitch with a four-match ban.
But before he made his way back to the dressing room, Man United’s Brazilian forward grabbed him by the shoulder, pointed at his chest and appeared to say: “I will win this game for you.”
The 23-year-old created two chances, had one shot and won four of his duels before being substituted as he failed to live up to his promise to Casemiro.
Man United, though, remain in the Champions League spots as they currently occupy third place in the table, with 50 points on the board.
Speaking after the game, Erik ten Hag praised his team’s showing considering they were a man down and bemoaned Casemiro’s dismissal.
He said: “Casemiro has played over 500 games in Europe. He never had a red card. And now, what is it? In [the space of a few] games and 20 games [in total] in the Premier League, he has two red cards.
“His absence is not the issue. We will deal with that. The issue is that this game was influenced by the referee. I said what I said. That is the refereeing is influencing the game and we talk about two issues.
“Big compliment to the team, they showed big character. When you are a long time playing with 10 against 11, and we played on Thursday, once again the team is fit physically and mentally. It was a great performance by our lads and we could have won this game.”