Referee explains why Casemiro was the only player shown red card during Man Utd vs Crystal Palace

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has explained why Casemiro was sent off during Manchester United's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, but Seagulls forward Jordan Ayew wasn't.

The Brazilian midfielder was shown the first red card of his Premier League career at Old Trafford after an on-pitch altercation with Palace midfielder Will Hughes.

That occurred following a foul by Jeffrey Schlupp on United star Antony, which led to several players from each team confronting each other.

Speaking after the match, United boss Erik ten Hag conceded that Casemiro 'crossed the line', but said that other players should have been sent off following the incident.

He told BBC Sport: "I see two teams fighting each other. I see two teams where several players crossed the line, and one player is picked out and gets sent off. For me, that's not right.

"When you freeze, Casemiro has crossed the line. But many more players are crossing the line. It's about consistency.

"You don't want to lose players when colleagues are hurting each other that bad like the player did last week against Christian Eriksen. The player from Crystal Palace started this.

"Casemiro is protecting our player and also protecting the player who wants to attack. He is holding him back - he is protecting him. He doesn't want to hurt him."

Referee gives verdict on Casemiro red card

Speaking on the Sky Sports News 'Ref Watch' segment on Monday, Gallagher, who officiated in English football's top flight between 1992 and 2007, believes that referee Andre Marriner was correct to send Casemiro off.

That is despite the revelation of another angle which appears to indicate that the Brazilian's contact with Hughes was less severe than it first appeared.

Gallagher also gave a reason as to why Ayew was not sent off after he was involved in a serious altercation with United midfielder Fred.

Did Casemiro deserve his first red card? 🟥🔍pic.twitter.com/XhewM4e6VP

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 5, 2023

He explained (quotes via Manchester Evening News): "It's the worst nightmare for a referee. There is so much going on, isn't there? It's impossible to police yourself.

"If you watch Scott Ledger [assistant referee], he's trying to control players. He then goes round the back to get a better view of something else. Casemiro is actually behind his back, that's the problem. There is just so much going on.

"I think the VAR picked up Casemiro, and people are asking why Ayew wasn't picked up. I think there is only so much they can pick up at the time.

"I think Casemiro is a red card. The reason I say that is because you can't condone a player putting both hands around somebody's throat. I think VAR has looked at it and recommended that it is a red card. There are other things going on. Is somebody a peacemaker or aggressor? I think the FA will look at that today, and it's up to them to see if they have to process anything else."