Ten Hag's midfield woes could worsen with Casemiro on cusp of ANOTHER suspension

Manchester United’s midfield woes could worsen with Casemiro on the cusp of yet another suspension.

The Old Trafford club continued their push for Champions League qualification on Saturday, by claiming a dominant 2-0 victory over struggling Everton.

And after the game, Erik ten Hag was full of praise for the performance of his side’s second-string midfield trio of Scott McTominay, Marcel Sabitzer and Bruno Fernandes.

The Dutchman said: "Today we played brilliant football, created so many chances, the midfield played really well with a lot of speed and direct play.

“We just needed to be more clinical and score more goals."

Indeed, United have had to fare without Casemiro, their midfield anchor, in recent weeks. The Brazilian has been serving a four-game domestic suspension after receiving his second red card of the season in a goalless draw with Southampton in March.

Casemiro has missed a lot of football in recent weeks, having previously been banned for three matches in February, and things could get even worse for the 31-year-old.

Casemiro suspension?

Next up for United is a Europa League quarter-final tie against Sevilla on Thursday.

And Casemiro and his team-mate Fernandes will need to be extra careful during the encounter to avoid being absent altogether for the return tie at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

Both players have picked up two yellow cards in the competition going into Thursday’s game, with UEFA rules dictating that a third will result in suspension for the following match.

Indeed, Lisandro Martinez was suspended for United’s first leg of the playoff tie against Barcelona after picking up three bookings during the group stage.

And now Fernandes and Casemiro could suffer the same fate. The former picked up both of his yellow cards during the knock-out stages, in the second leg against Barcelona and then the first leg against Betis.

Meanwhile, ex-Real Madrid star Casemiro's bookings came in either leg against old rivals Barca.