Two moments vs Southampton could be key to Manchester United's season

Manchester United drew 0-0 with Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, though Casemiro's four-game suspension after being sent off and Alejandro Garnacho's potential injury could both have a bigger impact on United's season than the two dropped points.

The draw sees United extend their lead over fourth-placed Tottenham to two points, while Newcastle's win against Wolves means United hold just a six-point cushion in the Champions League places.

United, with the support of the home crowd, started the match in control. They dominated possession for the first 30 minutes without creating any real gilt-edged opportunities.

READ MORE: United player ratings following Southampton draw

The 34th minute produced the game-changing moment when United’s integral midfielder Casemiro was shown a red card for his high challenge on Carlos Alcaraz.

With it seeming more a matter of when rather than if United would break the deadlock, Casemiro's dismissal changed the game. The Brazil international was originally shown a yellow card for his foul on Alcaraz but after the challenge was reviewed on the pitchside monitor by Anthony Taylor, the referee decided to upgrade Casemiro's yellow card to a red.

The former Real Madrid man has now been shown two red cards in his last three Premier League appearances. As it was Casemiro’s second red card of the campaign, he will miss United’s clash with Fulham in the FA Cup and the Premier League games against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton.

In a match that saw very few chances created, both sides did manage to hit the post in the second half. Kyle Walker-Peters' curled effort from the edge of the box struck the outside of the post, leaving David de Gea with no chance had it been on target.

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