Manchester United vs Southampton. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance73,439.
Report and free highlights with commentary as Casemiro given second red card of the season in goalless draw against bottom-side Southampton; both sides came close to scoring as Fernandes hit post while Saints smashed woodwork twice; United stay third as Saints move two points from 17th
Monday 13 March 2023 06:07, UK
Manchester United and Southampton played out a thrilling goalless draw at Old Trafford after Casemiro was sent off in the first half.
The United midfielder was shown a second red card of the season in the 34th minute for a studs-up tackle on Carlos Alcaraz and is now set for a four-game ban. The Brazilian was initially shown a yellow card for the foul by referee Anthony Taylor, only for VAR to send Taylor to the pitchside monitor and after reviewing the incident he gave Casemiro a straight red card.
United felt further aggrieved with the officials as they had several penalty appeals turned down during the game.
Both sides came close to scoring as Bruno Fernandes smashed the post for United, while Southampton hit the woodwork twice and had an effort cleared off the line.
The two goalkeepers - David de Gea and Gavin Bazunu - also made some outstanding saves to keep it scoreless.
It is a vital point for bottom-side Southampton, who are now two points from 17th place, although they will feel they could have taken a shock victory at Old Trafford.
United, meanwhile, failed to strengthen their grip on third place and now sit just two points ahead of fourth-placed Tottenham, who they have a game in hand on.
United returned to Premier League action for the first time since last Sunday's historic 7-0 embarrassment at rivals Liverpool.
But buoyed by Thursday's Europa League bounce-back win over Real Betis, United came close to scoring in the 16th minute as Marcus Rashford had a low shot saved well by Bazunu, who then thwarted Rashford again moments later at his feet.
United goalkeeper De Gea then showed his quality as he produced a brilliant save to tip over Theo Walcott's close-range bullet header.
United were then reduced to 10 men just after the half-hour mark, when Casemiro landed a high right foot on Alcaraz's shin.
Following a VAR review, an emotional-looking Casemiro was shown a red card, and it was nearly double pain for United as James Ward-Prowse's resulting free-kick deflected just wide.
United's frustration grew as Bazunu saved well from Raphael Varane at the back post before having two penalty appeals turned down - the first for a tackle by Kyle Walker-Peters on Fernandes and the second for a handball against Armel Bella-Kotchap.
United needed a fantastic goal-line clearance from Aaron Wan-Bissaka just four minutes into the second half to keep it scoreless. The defender saved substitute Scott McTominay from scoring an own goal after his deflection from a Walker-Peters cross had beaten De Gea.
Ward-Prowse then clipped the top of the bar with a wonderful free-kick in the 54th minute, while De Gea denied Walcott once again as he raced through one-on-one only for the Spaniard to push his shot away.
Bazunu was forced to pull off an even better save moments later as he tipped Fernandes' dipping low effort from distance on to the post as the rebound rolled across the face of goal.
A minute later Southampton smashed the woodwork at the other end as Walker-Peters' powerful angled effort crashed off the post.
Neither side could find a winner, though, in a pulsating draw that keeps United unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League meetings with Southampton.
There was a late injury blow for United as substitute Alejandro Garnacho left Old Trafford on crutches after he was brought off following a challenge by Walker-Peters.
Ten Hag told MUTV: "He had a bad tackle. His ankle was twisted. I didn't take the risk and I took him off."
When asked about Casemiro's sending off, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag told Sky Sports: "The refereeing has influenced this game and we talk about two issues [Casemiro's red and no penalty for United].
"Casemiro has played over 500 games in Europe. He never had a red card but now in four or five [Premier League] games he has two red cards.
"We will deal with that but the deal was that this game was influenced by the referee."
Asked whether United should have been awarded a penalty, he replied: "Definitely. There is no doubt, so I don't understand why the VAR is not interrupting because previously they did it."
He added on his team's performance: "A big compliment to the team. We showed big character when you are a long time with 10 after playing on Thursday.
"This team is fit physically, mentally, so a great performance from our lads and we could've won the game.
"We had a good performance today. We know we should've won this game but we didn't. We take that point and we carry on."
Southampton boss Ruben Selles speaking to Sky Sports: "We are really happy with the performance.
"We are not happy with the point but we are happy with the performance."
He added in his post-match press conference: "We showed identity, the principles we have in our game and we saw a team working together, wanting to be together, wanting to get something from the game."
Manchester United now turn their attention to cup competitions as they go to Real Betis on Thursday for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie with a 4-1 lead from the first leg.
Erik ten Hag's side then host Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday; kick 4.30pm.
Southampton face two home games next as they host Brentford on Wednesday - kick-off 7.30pm - and then welcome Tottenham to St Mary's on Saturday - kick-off 3pm.
