MANCHESTER UNITED legend Nicky Butt has defended Casemiro following his disastrous start to the Premier League season.
The Red Devils midfielder, 32, has endured a dismal opening three games of the campaign for Erik ten Hag‘s side.
It culminated in him giving the ball away for two of Liverpool’s goals as Man Utd suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
New £50million signing Manuel Ugarte is expected to replace Casemiro in Ten Hag’s midfield when they return to action at Southampton on Saturday.
Yet despite Casemiro’s poor form, Man Utd icon Butt, 49, who won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and one Champions League during his 13-year stint at the club, has labelled criticism of the ex-Real Madrid man “harsh”.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News, he said: “He’s won everything there is to win in the game.
“I think [the criticism] is a bit unfair. He’s had one horrendous half and everyone is turning against him.
“I think it’s a bit harsh, he knows what he is doing.
“He’s won more things than I ever did so I wouldn’t sit here and say he’s this, that and the other.
“But he did have a bad game, I’m sure he’s had a few before, we all have.”
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Casemiro won five Champions Leagues with Real Madrid, along with three LaLiga titles.
He joined Man Utd in 2022 in a deal worth up to £70million and is the highest-paid player on their books, raking in a wage of £375,000 a week.
He enjoyed an impressive first season in England, scoring in the Carabao Cup final as Man Utd ended a five-year trophy drought.
But the 2023/24 campaign was a disappointing one for the midfielder – who has 75 caps for Brazil.
Following a nightmare performance in Man Utd’s 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace back in May, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher urged Casemiro to “leave the football before the football leaves you”.
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Andre Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Toby Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
