Erik ten Hag plays down Casemiro absence amid Man Utd star's latest suspension

Erik ten Hag believes his Manchester United side can still thrive without Casemiro, who is suspended for this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Fulham.

The Brazil

international will be absent for the last-eight meeting, having been shown a straight red card against Southampton in United's last league game. He is serving a four-game domestic ban, having already seen red against Crystal Palace earlier in the season.

Casemiro has made a huge impact at Old Trafford since his summer move from Real Madrid and the Red Devils will need to adapt without him against the Cottagers. However, United's boss has stressed they have been able to perform without the 31-year-old in the past.

"We have had many more games without Casemiro," Ten Hag told reporters, with the Brazilian joining injured midfielders Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen on the 'unavailable' list. "We have done really well without Casemiro.

"Against Arsenal, the two [fixtures] against Leeds, I remember all the games and I think we did really well also without Casemiro at the start of the season. I want to have Casemiro available, because he has a huge impact on our game.

"We also won many games without Casemiro and we have to do it with other players. It’s about the players who are available."

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The Fulham game is the first of four which United's summer signing will miss. He is also unable to feature in the upcoming league games against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton, though his suspension does not apply to the Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla.

Sunday's cup clash will also see former United midfielder Andreas Pereira go up against his old club. The Brazilian left Old Trafford over the summer and has been a regular fixture in Fulham's team as they aim for European qualification.

"I didn't speak with Ten Hag," the 27-year-old told ESPN of his Old Trafford exit. "I know him because I worked with him at PSV but I was determined in my head and maybe if I spoke with the manager again I would stay. In my head I was thinking, 'I need to go, I need to feel confident and play', and that’s what I did.

"At United I had a lot of memories; good memories, bad memories. It’s been 10 years at the club. I arrived when I was 16 so, you know, a young boy. It was an amazing ride but I got to the stage where I thought maybe it was best not to stay. I wanted to feel more loved and I wanted to play every game. What Fulham offered me and what Marco [Silva, manager] offered me, it was the perfect opportunity."