Jamie Carragher urged Casemiro to “finish it at this level” after his shocking performance in Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
Casemiro was directly to blame for one of Palace’s four goals and delivered a terrible performance at the heart of United’s defence, once again found himself at centre-back due to the injury crisis.
Although the Brazilian performed impressively for much of his debut season in 2022/23 at Old Trafford, his form has fallen off a cliff this season.
While Sky SportsIn the Monday Night Football coverage of United’s recent defeat, former Liverpool defender Carragher voiced harsh criticism of Casemiro.
“I said that at half-time [Erik ten Hag] “I have to get Casemiro, I know he has kids on the bench,” Carragher began. “But I think that Casemiro, dead serious tonight, as an experienced player, should know that he should only have three games left at the highest level, the next two league games and the cup final, and then he should think: “I have to go to that MLS or to Saudi Arabia.”
“I’m dead serious. His agent, the team around him, they have to tell him: ‘This has to stop’.”
“We are watching one of the greats of the modern era playing in the best midfielders we have ever seen who have dominated Europe – he holds, [Toni] Kroos and [Luka] With Modric alongside him, he could easily compete against the Barcelona midfield we all love [Sergio] Busquets, [Andres] Iniesta and Xavi. He was an absolute great.
“I still don’t know what this man has achieved: he won the Champions League, played for Brazil and Real Madrid. But I always remember something when I retired myself. There is a saying that always sticks in my mind as a footballer: ‘Leave football before football leaves you.’
Casemiro’s move this summer could prove difficult for United considering he is reportedly earning £350,000 a week with another year left on his contract.
Carragher added: “‘He would have made a few quid and been very lucky. They pay him off and make a deal. But at this level, this player shouldn’t do that to himself.”
“He is too good a player to produce such a performance and be laughed at by Crystal Palace. He doesn’t play against Manchester City or Real Madrid, and it’s all out of respect for Crystal Palace.”
“A man at this level shouldn’t be going through what he’s going through now and he needs to break up.”