MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand slammed Jamie Carragher’s “highly disrespectful” criticism of Casemiro after the heavy loss to Liverpool.
The Reds beat rivals United 3-0 on Sunday at Old Trafford following two first-half errors by the 32-year-old Brazilian that led to Luis Diaz’s double.
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The midfielder was then subbed off during half-time as manager Erik ten Hag replaced him with 20-year-old Toby Collyer.
The Brazil international’s performance led to even more criticism from Carragher, who previously warned the United ace in May to “leave the football before the football leaves you”.
This time the Liverpool legend claimed it was a “sad sight” to see Casemiro struggling so badly.
But Ferdinand would have none of it and insisted his former England team-mate has got it wrong as their heated feud rumbles on.
The legendary defender is adamant that the Real Madrid legend’s quality speaks for itself and was shown in previous matches.
The 45-year-old hinted that the most recent problematic displays are down to Ten Hag not letting him play the same way he did as a defensive midfielder during his glittering nine-year stint at Real.
Ferdinand said in his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast: “I just think that’s highly disrespectful.
“I just think it’s really disrespectful because – especially given what my man’s won – there’s more to it than just he’s made a couple of mistakes.
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“Because if you look at the two games before this season, he’s been probably arguably Man Utd‘s best player.
“I think it’s easier to say that he’s gone, he’s finished. But I believe, when I look at him, I just feel that he’s being asked to do a lot of things like play 30-yard balls and dictate the pace of the game etc.
“These are things that Man Utd would never have recruited him for because he’d never been asked to do this at Real Madrid.
“He was cleaning up, security in front, slide tackling, covering all the gaps. And then giving it to other people to play football.”
Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool
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
Tom 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.