Another game and another defeat for Manchester United.
With Erik ten Hag’s side heading towards their worst Premier League finish, they added to their woes by suffering a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday at Old Trafford and also helped their old rivals in their Premier League title hopes.
It wasn’t anything like Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday night, but it still wasn’t much to shout about for those home fans.
One man who came under serious fire against Palace was the experienced Casemiro because he had a torrid time whilst playing as a covering centre-back.
The 32-year-old made matters worse for himself against Arsenal because it was his mistake that led to Leandro Trossard’s goal that delighted Ian Wright.
Andre Onana collected the ball and the Manchester United players proceeded to push up the pitch, bar their Brazilian defender.
Instead, the former Real Madrid star decided to amble forward, at a tortoise-like pace, kept Kai Haverz onside and Arsenal punished them and scored.
Ian Wright shared that Jonny Evans looked shocked by Casemiro’s actions when he turned back to look at where his backline was at, as he told Premier League Productions (12/05/24 at 5:25 pm).
That proved to be costly because Manchester United are now, with two Premier League games remaining, heading towards a season without European football.
Casemiro keeps Kai Havertz onside
“That seems weird for someone to have that much space there,” said Wright about Casemiro keeping Havertz onside. “The surprise on Jonny Evans, his face, when he looks back and sees Casemiro that far behind is very telling.
“If you look at Casemiro, you can see that Havertz can see him, but Jonny Evans, who is over on the left side, now he realises. ‘What are you doing there?’ Then he has to try and get back in. He doesn’t get a challenge on him or anything.
“But, at the same time, it shows the disorganisation of what is going on and a midfielder playing in there, who isn’t meant to be that far back.”
Will Casemiro leave Manchester United in the summer?
The 32-year-old is playing like someone who just simply can’t cope with the speed of the play in the Premier League.
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Yes, it needs to be taken into account that he is playing out of position and there are a number of high-profile players missing.
But that still shouldn’t mean he is immune to criticism or fans questioning if he will stay beyond the upcoming summer transfer window.
A lot will depend on ten Hag’s future, you feel if the Dutchman is sacked, then it probably increases the chances of someone like Casemiro leaving.
Either way, he is looking like the shadow of the player who once won Champions League trophy after Champions League trophy at Madrid.
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