Man United star David De Gea insists that new signing Marcel Sabitzer can fill the void during Casemiro's three-match ban - after claiming the Austrian showed what he is capable of in brief cameo in the win over Crystal Palace
* The Spanish goalkeeper has heaped praise on Man United's latest recruit
* Sabitzer made a substitute appearance during United's recent win over Palace
* During the game, in-form midfielder Casemiro was shown a straight red card
Manchester United's David de Gea has claimed that new signing Marcel Sabitzer will be able to help solve their on-going midfield crisis.
The Red Devils have, within the past two weeks, been struck by a long-term injury to Christian Eriksen and a three-match ban for in-form midfielder Casemiro.
The absence of those two players could prove crucial, but de Gea insisted that the Austrian - who signed on loan on deadline day - could help maintain United's form.
Speaking after the match, de Gea reflected on United's midfield woes, as he said: 'It's going to be tough for sure.
'We already lost Christian [Eriksen], now Casemiro, big players for us. But we have a bigger squad, players are ready to play, everyone is really focused.
There are hopes from within Man United that Marcel Sabitzer can replace Casemiro. Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea heaped praise on Sabitzer's debut for the club. The Austrian international made a nine minute cameo during United's win over Crystal Palace. United boss Erik ten Hag insisted that he 'needed' Sabitzer amid United's midfield injury crisis
'Sabitzer showed already, he played 15 to 20 minutes and he did really well, made some good tackles, he is good with the ball and everyone is ready to play.'
The Austrian midfielder made a 16-minute cameo against Palace on Saturday afternoon in his first appearance for the Manchester club.
After scans revealed that Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen would be ruled out for up to three months with an ankle issue, the club acted swiftly to sign Sabitzer.
The Austrian international was brought in on a short-term loan deal from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich on the final day of the transfer window last week.
To add to the midfield concerns, just a few days later and in-form midfielder Casemiro was given the first straight red card of his career during United's win over Palace.
The midfielder has been a revelation for the Red Devils since his summer move from Real Madrid and has been an almost ever-present in Erik ten Hag's midfield.
But he saw red in the second half of the game at Old Trafford on Sunday, getting involved in a scuffle involving several players and putting his hands around Will Hughes' throat, leading to his dismissal.
In addition, Donny van der Beek has already been ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery and Scott McTominay for two weeks with a muscle problem.
Last week, United boss Erik ten Hag heaped praise on new signing Sabitzer and insisted he 'needed' the Austrian midfielder after Manchester United's injury crisis.
Speaking after United's Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg win over Nottingham Forest, Ten Hag said: 'We are really happy with that transfer because we needed it after Donny van de Beek dropped out, now Christian Eriksen for a longer time.
'Also, I think for a shorter time, Scott McTominay is also not available. So that gave us a shortage of midfield players but then to bring a quality player in on deadline day, that's difficult!
'I think he has a great attitude, he is in the right age and I'm sure this opportunity will motivate him strongly and he will perform for us.'
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