Manchester United put in an horrendous display which saw them hammered 4-0 by 14th placed Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last night.
United fans have been no stranger to humiliation and darkness this season but the latest spanking must certainly be up there as one of the worst.
The team showed no sign of life as Palace launched raid after raid at United’s beleaguered back four and had no answer for any of the questions posed by the impressive Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.
Despite a poor performance from arguably every United player on the pitch, Casemiro was once again singled out for his particularly dismal showing.
In fairness, the Brazilian has had to fill in the last few games at centre back due to the ridiculous injury crisis the Red Devils are suffering, but still, a player of his experience should not be being as exposed as he so frequently has been all season.
True to form, the first and third goals yesterday could certainly see a lot of blame attached to the former Real Madrid star.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp already highlighted the midfielder’s penchant to jump into tackles instead of chasing back against Bournemouth last month. But this time, it was former United man Paul Scholes’ turn to take aim at the Brazilian.
Speaking to Premier League Productions Scholes tore into Erik ten Hag’s team’s set up: “A very upsetting and sad performance. Even though there are a lot of players out who would probably start in the team. Five or six probably of the main ones. But it felt like one team had been coached and set up how to play. And one team that was so easy to play against that it’s untrue.”
The legendary midfielder was clearly at pains to criticise another legend of the game but he then laid into Casemiro’s role in the nightmarish match.
“There are still some good players in that Man United team and playing out on that pitch. You think of the likes of Casemiro. He’s tough to have a go at. What a player he has been over the years, but that was tough to watch, he was on his backside most of the time. People like Christian Eriksen as well. That physicality in the middle of the pitch has gone.”
“I reckon that could have happened four or five times where Casemiro sits down and somebody skips past him. The lads not a centre-halve. It’s tough to have a bit of a pop at him. He has done so much for the game. A fantastic footballer. It’s difficult watching a few of these actually because I do feel they are towards the end. They shouldn’t be at a club of this stature really.”
It is certainly a sad ending for such a modern day legend of the game, a man who won has won five Champions League trophies and was a vital cog in every single one.
The Brazilian was also terrific in his first season at Old Trafford and scored the vital opening goal in the Carabao Cup final, which United would go on to win 2-0 against Newcastle United, delivering the club’s first trophy in six years.
However, this season has seen a sharp decline which will see Casemiro almost certainly shipped out to clear up wage space and bring in younger, hungrier midfield talent better equipped to deal with the rigors of Premier League football.
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