How Manchester United star Casemiro played a role in Rodri red card for Man City vs Forest

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro's red card last season against Crystal Palace set a precedent that meant Manchester City star Rodri had to be sent off on Saturday afternoon.

Casemiro was given his marching orders at Old Trafford back in February when the Brazilian grabbed Palace midfielder Will Hughes by the throat as both sets of players were involved in a melee. Initially, it was not spotted by the on-field referee but VAR picked up on it and sent the midfielder off.

More than seven months on, that incident was used as an example when former referee Dermot Gallagher was asked why Rodri was sent off against Nottingham Forest at the weekend. After an altercation between the Spaniard and Morgan Gibbs-White, Rodri moved his hands towards the throat of the Forest man.

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Referee Anthony Taylor decided to show Rodri a straight red card and the decision was not overturned by VAR. Discussing the decision on Sky Sports' Ref Watch, Gallagher explained why Taylor's call was correct using Casemiro as an example.

"Have you found it [in the referee handbook?]" Gallagher asked. "It is there on page 52, Casemiro on Hughes - same thing.

"He grabs him by the throat and it is a red card. You wanted consistency and that is what you had.

"I think once you put your arms around a player's throat you run a massive, massive risk and referees see it as that." Rodri's ban means he will miss the crucial clash between City and Arsenal next month.