We have a great squad and we have to find another balance without him – Raphael Varane on Casemiro missing upcoming matches

Manchester United’s defender Raphael Varane feels they have the squad to fill in the big shoes of Casemiro for the upcoming matches and find the right balance without the Brazilian in their final XI. Casemiro was shown a red card by referee Anthony Taylor following his nasty tackle on Southampton’s Carlos Alcaraz as the match ended in a goalless draw on Sunday.

The veteran was seen in tears as he received his second red card in recent times. With this red card, Casemiro will miss the FA Cup quarter-final tie against Fulham at Old Trafford and a further three Premier League matches after the international break.

Varane admitted that Casemiro is a crucial player for them but they need to find the right balance without him.

After the draw with Southampton, Varane said: “He’s a player who’s very important for us. He brings balance to the team and to the squad.

“But we have a great squad and we have to find another balance without him, but we have good players in every position on the pitch and we’re ready for the next games.

“I think he was very disappointed because nobody wants to get out of the pitch before the end but as I say it’s part of football. It was obviously very disappointing but we can focus on the next games and that’s it.”

He added: “I think it’s frustrating. Happy with the mentality, the fighting spirit. The team fought as a group and that’s the positive point. We knew we needed to run a little bit more, to be a bit more defensive but we reacted as a team, as a group and with a good mentality.

“We fight for each other. The crowd as well. We feel the support. I think we can be proud of the fighting spirit, obviously disappointed by the result but great teamwork.”

Meanwhile, Casemiro had earlier received a red card against Crystal Palace after he had come to his compatriot Antony’s defense.

However, Casemiro will be available for selection in Manchester United’s second-leg round-of-16 Europa League match against Real Betis as the ban doesn’t carry to European matches.