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Featured Image Credit: BT Sport
Topics: Casemiro, Manchester United, Barcelona, Europa League
Daniel Marland
Topics: Casemiro, Manchester United, Barcelona, Europa League
Casemiro's reaction to Manchester United and Barcelona players getting ready to have a scrap in Thursday evening's Europa League play-off is hilarious.
United won 2-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate to advance to the round of 16 and knock out one of the tournament favourites.
Barcelona took the lead through a Robert Lewandowski penalty after Bruno Fernandes fouled Alejandro Balde in the box.
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The Red Devils hit back just after the break via Fred, with the intensity inside Old Trafford ramped up.
Things hit a boiling point midway through the second half after United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka fouled Frenkie de Jong. As the Barcelona midfielder hit the ground, Fernandes booted the ball and it hit De Jong in the stomach.
Both sets of players immediately rushed over to get involved in the melee. Several United players attempted to get Bruno out of the way as Ronald Araujo led the charge. There was one noticeable red shirt absent.
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Casemiro was seen at the bottom of the frame putting his hand on his head and looking behind him to see what was going on.
The 31-year-old has just served a domestic three-match ban after being judged to have placed his hands around Crystal Palace midfielder Will Hughes' neck in a 2-1 win earlier this month. Being a former Real Madrid player, he knows how intense games against Barcelona can get.
Images of Casemiro avoiding the drama have emerged online, with supporters joking he knew what'd happen if he fancied a scrap.
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One person said: "Bro decided to take a day off on his birthday I don't blame him."
Another put: "He knew what'd happen. Smart guy."
A third tweeted: "Getting flashbacks you can tell in his face. You have to love Casemiro."
While someone added: "Casemiro said I’m not getting involved."
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United ended up grabbing the winner 17 minutes from time thanks to Antony's first-time effort. After Alejandro Garnacho and Fred's efforts were deflected, the Brazil international whipped his effort into the bottom corner to seal victory.
They'll now face one of the Europa League group winners in the next round and will be unseeded in Friday morning's draw.
Check out the teams United could face in the round of 16 below:
Do you think Manchester United can win the Europa League this season? Let us know in the comments.