Casemiro’s sending off overshadowed other events as Manchester United held on to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Old Trafford in the Premier League. United got their 13th consecutive win at Old Trafford to lift themselves to third in the table while Vieira’s Crystal Palace remain 12th on the log.
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Rashford turned home Luke Shaw’s cross 17 minutes into the second half for his 11th goal since returning from Qatar. That was goal number nineteen for Marcus Rashford in all competitions this season.
Dramatic scenes ensued when, amid a confrontation that resulted in both Antony and Jeffrey Schlupp being booked, VAR Tony Harrington spotted Casemiro with his hands round Hughes’ neck.
After a pitchside review, referee Andre Marriner sent the influential Brazilian off for violent conduct, which triggers an immediate three-match domestic ban.
Schlupp halved the deficit almost immediately and amid increasingly frantic scenes around the home area, United ended the game with four central defenders protecting their goal as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were added to starting pair Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
Respective managers Erik ten Hag and Patrick Vieira, who started the afternoon laying wreaths in honour of the victims of the 1958 Munich air disaster, ended it ranting at fourth official Joshua Smith and then marching to the centre circle to make their points to Marriner as both argued against decisions that went against their team.
Vieira’s side now have five points from their past eight games and only five top-flight clean sheets all season.