Manchester United defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro was sent off during his side’s Premier League victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday after putting his hands around the neck of Will Hughes during a mass brawl between the two sides. But fresh footage has emerged that shows Palace forward Jordan Ayew grabbing Fred by the neck during the same incident – and it was missed by VAR.
United were 2-0 up courtesy of goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford when the game descended into chaos after Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp had left United winger Antony in a heap on the group next to the advertising boards at the side of the pitch following a heavy challenge.
Opposing players confronted one another, with Casemiro being shown a red card for his behaviour in the melee following intervention from VAR. But Ayew and Fred locked horns at the exact moment Casemiro and Hughes were tussling.
Footage from the match shows Fred’s hand appearing to touch Schlupp’s face as the brawl begins. Rashford tries to hold the Palace man back before Ayew charges over and shoves Fred away. And as Ayew spins, he reaches out and appears to momentarily grab Fred by the throat. The players then grab each other’s shirts, with Ayew again raising his arm to the Brazil international’s face. The duo are finally separated as Raphael Varane comes over and breaks them apart.
Man Utd were reduced to 10 men against Crystal Palace after Casemiro was sent off after a VAR check (Image: GETTY)
The brawl led to Casemiro’s dismissal as well as bookings for Schlupp and Antony after Video Assistant referee Tony Harrington had directed referee Andre Marriner to check the pitch-side monitor. But it is unclear whether Marriner was made aware of the altercation between Ayew and Fred.
Following the melee, Schlupp pulled a goal back for the Eagles, but United hung on to claim all three points. “They pick one player out, so I think they could have picked more players in such an incident and then the VAR is interfering,” said frustrated United boss Erik ten Hag after the match had come to an end. “This is what I don’t understand because then you have to be consistent.
Man Utd star Fred appeared to have his throat grabbed by Jordan Ayew on Saturday (Image: SKY SPORTS)
“I have so many occasions this season where they didn’t interfere so I was disappointed, but we have to take it. Our players have to behave, they have to control their emotions – but I’m happy that we have the spirit and we stand for each other.
“First of all, we have to deal with it and we will do, but it is not right. It shouldn’t have happened. This was avoidable and because in this incident there have to be consequences and they are inconsistent and that is not right, that is not fair against us. We have to think about [appealing]. But be fair, we have seen when you’re freezing [the frame in the video], Casemiro is crossing the line. But many more players were crossing the line there.”
David de Gea confident about signing new Manchester United contract
David de Gea is out of contract at Man Utd at the end of the season but he’s confident a new deal will be signed.
David de Gea is close to signing a new contract at United
David de Gea is confident his stay at Manchester United will extend into a 13th season as talks over a new contract edge closer to a resolution.
The 32-year-old’s existing deal expires at the end of this season and although United have an option to extend it for a year, the two parties have entered talks over a longer extension.
That would likely see De Gea take a reduction in his £375,000-a-week salary from the contract he signed in 2019, but the goalkeeper is loving life under Erik ten Hag and wants to stay at Old Trafford.
De Gea has been able to talk to clubs overseas about leaving on a free transfer since the start of January, but he’s already said he wants to stay at United for the rest of his career.
The Spaniard made his 517th appearance for the club in the 2-1 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday and then expressed confidence that a new deal would be agreed.
“We’re still talking. I’m just focused on the game, that’s the most important thing, but for sure it’s going to end in a good way,” he said.
The win against the Eagles was a 13th successive success at Old Trafford and with Newcastle dropping points it has moved United into third in the Premier League.
They now face back-to-back Premier League fixtures against Leeds United, at Old Trafford on Wednesday and Elland Road on Sunday.
“It’s a massive game, we have to recover well now because we did an extra effort today at the end,” said De Gea. “Again, game on Wednesday, game on Sunday, it’s not easy, we have to be very focused. It’s a special game always against Leeds. Let’s see, we have some games to prepare the game properly, recovery, and go again.”
Source: express.co.uk; manchestereveningnews.co.uk
