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Jamie Carragher has been proven right so far this season after predicting that Casemiro would struggle in the heart of Manchester United’s midfield this season. The Brazil international was anonymous in the Red Devils’ 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton on Saturday, being replaced by academy graduate Hannibal Mejbri in the second half.
United were outclassed at Old Trafford by Roberto De Zerbi’s side and never truly looked likely to get anything from the game after going 1-0 down thanks to a goal from former player Danny Welbeck. Pascal Gross then doubled the Seagulls’ lead in the 53rd minute when he fired low past Andre Onana.
Joao Pedro appeared to put the game to bed in the 71st minute when coming off of the bench to grab his second of the season, before Mejbri offered Erik ten Hag’s side hope with what turned out to be a consolation goal. Numerous players underperformed for United on the day, though Casemiro being withdrawn so early is a key indicator of how below-par his display was.
The ex-Real Madrid star struggled to sniff out danger in midfield, with Adam Lallana, Gross and Mahmoud Dahoud being given plenty of time and space to play through the lines and turn defence into attack within a few quick passes. Casemiro’s performance won’t have come as a shock to Liverpool legend Carragher though.
The Sky Sports pundit has frequently mentioned that the 31-year-old would struggle this season and criticised United for offering him such a significant wage when they signed him a year ago, claiming it was clear he is regressing from his peak.
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Speaking ahead of the start of the season, Carragher told The Telegraph: “I never believed Casemiro would be value for money. Not because there is any doubt that he has been a world-class player. But because he is at a stage of his career when he cannot fully repay United’s massive fee.
“He was a panic buy when he joined a year ago. An ageing, stellar name signed for big money and on a massive salary to appease increasingly disgruntled fans, despite the fact he will need replacing with a similarly massive outlay two years on.”
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United signed Sofyan Amrabat on loan from Fiorentina late in the summer transfer window to help cover for Casemiro defensively. The Brazil man’s performances suggest that he will need the Morocco international to play alongside him sooner rather than later.
Casemiro has struggled to protect his backline effectively and consequently appeared isolated when the ball has been turned over, especially against sides who are fast and forceful on the counter-attack.
United must find a way to get the best out of Casemiro or else their defensive problems will continue to be exposed. Ten Hag cannot persist with playing him as a lone No 6 without any assistance.
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