A Casemiro header helped secure Manchester United the first silverware of Erik ten Hag’s reign and a Casemiro header brought a successful start to their defence of the Carabao Cup. If much else has changed since a heady day at Wembley in February, when Casemiro opened the scoring against Newcastle, his presence on the scoresheet has become an increasingly regular occurrence. Cruising past Crystal Palace has rendered this a restorative few days for United, with three straight defeats followed by consecutive wins with clean sheets. Casemiro’s goal was sandwiched by a first of the campaign each for Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Martial, with the Frenchman finishing from the Brazilian’s cross. If Casemiro has been struggled with his defensive duties at times this season, his attacking efforts have arguably increased. His status as the unlikely top scorer was cemented. If that is partly the product of his late brace against Bayern Munich, as well as Marcus Rashford’s slow start to the campaign and the injury that delayed Rasmus Hojlund’s debut, it is part of a broader theme. Casemiro has found both goals and red cards easier to come by at Old Trafford. An 11th strike in 59 outings for United means his goal-per-game ratio for them is almost double what it is for either Real Madrid or Brazil. It will nevertheless be a problem if, further into the season, he is still United’s most prolific player. But on that rarest of occasions – when Bruno Fernandes, who started 58 of 62 matches last season, was given a night off and, after Raphael Varane went off, Casemiro ended up with the armband – he provided the productivity more associated with the new captain. He rose above Jeffrey Schlupp to head in Mason Mount’s corner and then delivered a deep cross that Martial met on the half-volley to put United three ahead. The Frenchman is very much an understudy now, with Rashford saved for the Premier League rematch with Palace at the weekend and Hojlund limited to a late cameo. But some of the more intriguing elements concerned the newcomers and the returning. Mount belonged in both categories: sidelined for a month after two dispiriting starts, the summer signing’s contribution was curtailed after 45 minutes. But he was influential and excellent, belatedly looking at home in a United shirt. Mount had a role in both first-half goals; fit to feature for the first time since the Tottenham defeat, his conversion into a No 8 continuing, he showed his passing range with a cross-field ball in the build-up to Garnacho’s opener, which was tucked in from Diogo Dalot’s cutback. He had a more direct part in the second, with the corner Casemiro headed in. It was Mount’s first assist for United and if he is less likely to be afforded set-piece duties when Christian Eriksen and Fernandes are on the pitch, it was an indication of what he can offer. There was a brightness, an intelligence that boded well. For Harry Maguire, meanwhile, a first start of the season came in a role Ten Hag has been reluctant to deploy him in – as a left-sided centre-back. For Sofyan Amrabat, a full United debut came in the unfamiliar position of left-back, at least until Victor Lindelof took over there for the second half. Behind each, Andre Onana had a quiet night; otherwise a spectator, he made two stops to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta and clinch his second successive shutout after his nightmare in Munich. Ten Hag decided not to give Altay Bayindir a debut but three goalkeepers who have been on United’s books nevertheless took the field. Dean Henderson’s Palace debut and first return to Old Trafford proved a shortlived affair, the £20m signing hobbling off after 18 minutes in which he did not have to field a shot. Palace’s other former United keeper, Sam Johnstone, was instead beaten before he touched the ball. He later made a terrific save to deny the substitute Jonny Evans his first United goal since 2014. By then, with progress assured, Dan Gore was on for his United bow, on the 16th anniversary of Evans’ first appearance. It was suitably comfortable by then, United delivering the kind of emphatic display that had eluded them this season. They were aided by the docility of the visitors. Palace represented ideal opposition: lacking strength in depth, the teamsheet showed the Premier League is Roy Hodgson’s priority. Their cup runs have been few and far between in recent seasons whereas Ten Hag tends to place more of an emphasis on such games. It was an attitude that took him to Wembley last season. But while Casemiro has won far grander trophies, the Champions League specialist is showing a growing liking for the Carabao Cup. Read More Casemiro stars as Manchester United ease past Crystal Palace Is Man Utd v Crystal Palace on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch When is the Carabao Cup fourth round draw? Erik ten Hag’s got a good thing going at Manchester United – Jonny Evans Nothing to divide them - Crystal Palace and Fulham finishes in goalless stalemate Odegaard signs and De Roon reveals all – Friday’s sporting social

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Mikel Arteta admits he still has something to prove as a manager in European competition as he aims to lead Arsenal into the Champions League knockout stages on Wednesday night. The Gunners host Lens at the Emirates Stadium knowing a point would secure safe passage into the last 16 while victory will seal top spot in Group B. Arteta led Arsenal back into the Champions League after a seven-year absence but – other than a run to the semi-finals in 2020-21 – he struggled in Europa League knockout games earlier in his tenure. Asked if he has something to prove in Europe, he replied: “For sure. “I think it is not that we have to prove, we had to come back into Europe being the club we want to be, have that presence and the results that tell them we are back in a strong way, we haven’t done that yet and it needs to be done.” While Arsenal are on the verge of qualifying for the latter rounds, Premier League rivals Manchester United and Newcastle are still uncertain if their European campaigns will extend beyond Christmas this season. “100 per cent not,” Arteta replied when asked if qualification should be taken for granted. “You have to sweat, dig in a lot and play well in games to deserve to win them. We are playing against really tough opponents. “PSV have won all of their games in their league, they have only lost against us. Sevilla is a very tough place to go and tomorrow is going to be a really difficult game but hopefully we can be better than them. “I am enjoying it, is a great feeling. It makes you proud, it makes you feel that it is the level the club should be at and we are competing really well so let’s continue to do so.” With Arsenal on the cusp of making the knockout rounds, Arteta could be tempted to shuffle his pack against their Ligue 1 opposition. Kai Havertz will be pushing for a start after coming off the bench to score a late winner at Brentford on Saturday to send Arsenal top of the Premier League. Others will also be knocking on the door but one player who will definitely not feature is Fabio Vieira. Arteta revealed the midfielder has gone under the knife to fix a niggling groin issue and could not offer a return date when pressed. “Yes, we’ve got a problem with him,” he said. “He’s been having some discomfort. We tried to have some conservative treatment with him. “It wasn’t improving so we sent him to see a specialist and the advice was to have an operation in his groin. We expect him to be out for weeks now. “We don’t expect him to (be back before January). Let’s see how he evolves. The job it was done yesterday so we’ll have to wait and see. It will take weeks I think.” Vieira joins Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber and Emile Smith Rowe on the sidelines with the potential that the quartet all miss the busy festive schedule. Read More Tiger Woods was ‘very frustrated’ by secretive PGA Tour deal with Saudi PIF England’s Zach Mercer installs oxygen chamber at home to combat ankle injury IFAB keen to introduce sin bins for professional football after grassroots trial Top two tiers of women’s football poised to break away from Football Association Tom Daley back on British Swimming’s World Class Programme in Olympic boost ECB boss admits challenges remain for cricket after positive impact report

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