Following Manchester United’s disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool, Brazilian midfielder Casemiro has come under fire from pundits and fans alike, particularly after being substituted at halftime.
Amidst claims that he left Old Trafford at the break, United manager Erik ten Hag refuted these rumours, stating he met Casemiro in the dressing room after the match.
In response to the criticism, Casemiro’s wife, Anna Mariana, took to Instagram to defend her husband, sharing images of his impressive trophy collection. The post highlighted his successful career, which includes five UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga championships with Real Madrid, as well as an FA Cup victory with Manchester United.
She captioned the post with a message of support: “Always strong Casemiro, the biggest.”
Casemiro’s performance against Liverpool was scrutinised, with former players like Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville commenting on his apparent loss of confidence. Carragher described it as a “sad sight,” while Neville noted that Casemiro seemed to be struggling.
The midfielder made two critical mistakes in the first half, leading to Liverpool’s goals, and was replaced by 20-year-old Toby Collyer, who made his debut for the club.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag defends Man United’s prospects amid Liverpool defeat
Ten Hag explained his decision to substitute Casemiro, stating, “We had to take risks because we want to bounce back. You need players in midfield to cover ground.”
With Manchester United’s poor start to the 2024-25 Premier League season, sitting in 14th place with just one win from three matches, the pressure is mounting on both the players and the coaching staff. The team will look to improve their form in their next match against Southampton, who are also struggling to find their footing this season.
