The 32-year-old was substituted at half-time for academy graduate Toby Collyer after being at fault for both of Luis Diaz’s goals in the Red Devils’ 3-0 defeat. A picture later emerged of Casemiro seemingly leaving Old Trafford during the break, but manager Erik ten Hag clarified on talkSPORT that this was not the case. Despite scoring in the Carabao Cup final victory over Newcastle in his first season, the former Real Madrid star has struggled for form. Since last season, Casemiro has appeared sluggish in midfield, leading to criticism from both fans and pundits. His loss of possession resulted in Liverpool’s two opening goals, making him the target of United supporters’ anger.
Ten Hag has faced criticism for not benching the former Porto star, with some suggesting the club should have sold him during the summer. In response to negative comments on social media, his wife Anna Mariana Casemiro posted a cryptic message. She shared a photo on her Instagram story of her husband’s impressive collection of trophies, including five Champions League titles, three LaLiga titles, and the Copa America trophy. She also posted a picture of Casemiro celebrating with his teammates, with the caption “Always strong Casemiro.”
While Casemiro has the unwavering support of his wife, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has admitted that it is a “sad sight” to see his recent slump in form. As a Sky Sports pundit, Carragher commented, “He’s had such a great career and has won everything you can possibly win. It’s disheartening to see him struggling out there.” Ajax coach Ten Hag also explained his decision to substitute Casemiro at halftime, stating, “It was necessary for the team. When you’re down 2-0 against Liverpool, you have to take more risks and the game becomes more open.”
“When you are losing, you have to take more risks. I have to give credit to the team for their efforts. It’s important to keep fighting and sticking together.” When asked about Casemiro’s substitution, the Dutchman responded, “We both understand the game well. He will continue to play and we will continue to support him. He’s a talented player. Our goal for this season is to continue improving both the team and individual players.”