- Brazilian forced to fill in at centre-half
- Has made the odd mistake
- Move away from Old Trafford mooted
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Brazil international has endured a tough time of late, with injury problems at Old Trafford forcing him to fill in at centre-half. As a natural holding midfielder, the 32-year-old has struggled to produce his best in a role that he is unaccustomed to gracing
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Liverpool legend Carragher has suggested that the former Real Madrid star is a spent force, with United being urged to move in a different direction ahead of a transfer window that is already seeing Casemiro linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
WHAT CASEMIRO SAID
Casemiro insists he has given no thought to a change of scenery, with the five-time Champions League winner telling Sky Sports when offering a response to his detractors: “You look towards the end of last season, the team was playing well with plenty of positive comments. So what happened? I was considered one of the best signings of the Premier League last season, and now I’m not worth anything anymore? The criticism is disrespectful. So, when it’s lacking respect, then it’s worrying, and I don’t have to respect that either. But there is always going to be criticism in football, especially playing for such a long time, people want to criticise. But from the moment when it lacks respect, that’s when you lose my respect.”
DID YOU KNOW?
The Brazilian added on turning a deaf ear to those that take criticism too far: “At the start of the season, at the start of my season, I got the trophy of best player of the month, elected by the fans here. Right after that I picked up an injury, a big injury. Came back, then the injury returned, now playing as a centre-back. It is hard – this is a wider analysis, I’m giving you more ample analysis. Injured players. I think never at any point of the season the manager had like 25 senior players available. So not only for me, for the players, but also for the manager it’s very challenging. For the club it’s very challenging. But criticism is a part of football. And I’m always very calm, especially with the criticism. When it’s constructive criticism, it’s always welcomed. Especially in football, when you’ve been playing high level for 10 years and you drop your level a little, the criticism is going to come, criticism is always going to come. But from the moment when you feel disrespected, I don’t think it’s right. And that is when I lose respect for those people.”
WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?
United could still end the 2023-24 campaign with a trophy triumph, as they are set to face arch-rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 25. Casemiro helped the Red Devils to Carabao Cup glory last season, bringing a six-year wait for major silverware to a close, and will have his eyes on another medal.
