Some Manchester United fans have lost patience with one of their more experienced players following his outing in Saturday’s pre-season defeat to Liverpool.
Erik ten Hag’s side closed out their pre-season tour of the United States on Saturday night with a 3-0 defeat.
Fabio Carvalho, who is attracting interest from newly-promoted Southampton, continued his impressive pre-season form by scoring the opener with just nine minutes played.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder received the ball from Diogo Jota on the edge of the box before wrong-footing Casemiro, who appeared to slip on the surface.
And moments later, Carvalho gave Liverpool an early lead by beating goalkeeper Andre Onana with a superb drilled-effort into the bottom right corner.
The former Hull City loanee received plaudits for his individual brilliance and rightly so, but the biggest talking point amongst fans was Casemiro’s role in the goal.
In fact, the Brazilian’s uncertain future at the club continues to be a subject of debate.
One fan said: “Casemiro to United has turned out to be the sort of business a club should never, ever do. Offered only 7-8 months of what he truly is. Came for a big fee when he was nearing 30. Earns well over 250k a week. Plays every game like he may not even start in Saudi Arabia.”
A second wrote: “Casemiro is becoming a real problem. Big wages. Getting older. Performances poor. Yet still our best defensive midfielder. Not a great situation,” while a third commented: “Can he please take the big Saudi money and move on?”
A fourth said: “Starting the season with Casemiro is just self sabotage,” and a fifth added: “Casemiro shouldn’t start but he needs to be there to nature the amount of young midfielders coming through.”
Casemiro has been widely tipped to leave Old Trafford this summer, with the Saudi Pro League seemingly a likely destination.
In fact, L’Equipe said last month that SPL side Al Ittihad were looking to complete four major deals in the current transfer window, including United’s 32-year-old midfielder.
Casemiro was one of United’s standout performers following his much-talked about £70 million arrival from Real Madrid, and played 43 times during his debut campaign.
But he struggled in large spells last season as Ten Hag’s men slumped to their worst ever Premier League finish.
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images – MUTV
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Erik Ten Hag, Transfers