Ferdinand calls Casemiro red card harsh as United edge Chelsea in chaotic Old Trafford clash
Rio Ferdinand brands the dismissal 'harsh' as Manchester United take a 2-0 lead against Chelsea before Casemiro's sending off, in a game that featured an early red card for Chelsea's goalkeeper and a flurry of substitutions.
Casemiro was sent off just before half-time for a second yellow card as Manchester United led Chelsea 2-0 at Old Trafford, with Bruno Fernandes opening the scoring and Casemiro heading the second.
The dismissal came on a sliding challenge on Andrey Santos; the Brazil international had already been booked earlier for a late challenge on Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was dismissed early in the match for a straight red after bringing down Bryan Mbuemo, triggering a flurry of early changes as Maresca reshuffled his side. Pedro Neto and Estevao were withdrawn within ten minutes for Filip Jorgensen and Tosin Adarabioyo, while Cole Palmer pulled up with what looked like an injury. United then extended their lead through a Bruno Fernandes strike, and Casemiro headed home from a corner to make it 2-0 before the break.
Rio Ferdinand, a former United centre-back, took to X at half-time to criticise the decision to dismiss Casemiro, calling it 'harsh'. He wrote: 'Casemiro - given the referee the option. Harsh but allowed him to even it up. Need to keep being positive 2nd half.'
The result leaves Ruben Amorim's side facing a difficult night at Old Trafford and underscores the volatility of a match that began with chaos and could reshape the contest in the second period. United will have to navigate 45 minutes with a one-man disadvantage, while Chelsea search for a way back into the fixture as the clock ticks toward full time.