Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes his side can beat Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday without Casemiro.

The Brazilian has picked up a one-match suspension after being booked in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace but ten Hag says that, as United won against the Gunners without the midfielder back in September, they can do it again this weekend:

“Casemiro is obviously a really important player for us, he’s one of the reasons we are where we are now. But last time we beat Arsenal without Casemiro so we have a squad, we have to fill the gap, make a proper plan and the squad have to fill it and make sure, as a team. We already showed how to beat Arsenal.”

It’s certainly a bullish statement from ten Hag and, of course, he is right that the Red Devils should be able to cope despite the fact Casemiro won’t be playing.

However, you do feel that their chances of securing the three points have been dealt a setback. Even though they did win the first match against Mikel Arteta’s side at Old Trafford, it was arguably a smash-and-grab.

Combined with the fact that United will be playing away, at a ground where Arsenal have only dropped two points all season, it will be that much harder to get a good result without Casemiro’s presence on the pitch.