May 10th 2024.
Roy Keane was highly critical of Erik ten Hag's decision regarding the starting lineup against Crystal Palace. The former Manchester United player accused the coach of leaving Casemiro vulnerable by placing him in central defense. According to Keane, Casemiro's form has been declining throughout the season due to various issues, including fitness problems and a lack of balance in the team's midfield.
Ten Hag was forced to make some drastic changes due to the absence of key players in the defense, such as Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Lisandro Martinez. As a result, the coach had to rely on Casemiro, even though the player is not known for his speed. Keane pointed out that this decision proved costly as Palace's forwards took advantage of Casemiro's lack of experience in the position.
While Keane did not completely excuse Casemiro's performance, he was visibly angry at Ten Hag's choice and struggled to understand the logic behind it. In an interview with Sky Bet, Keane said, "Crystal Palace really showed up against Manchester United, and anyone can see that playing away on a Monday night is not an easy task. However, Casemiro was left isolated, and he has to take some responsibility for that. He wasn't getting enough support from his teammates, and that's a crucial aspect of playing in a team."
Keane stressed the importance of having a strong structure and playing as a unit, especially when under pressure. He expressed his disbelief at Ten Hag's decision to play Casemiro, out of all the players in the Manchester United squad, including the reserves and youth team. Keane even suggested that he would have preferred to see someone like Aaron Wan-Bissaka play in that position.
The former United captain continued to criticize Casemiro's performance, stating that at the age of 31 or 32, every bad game becomes a big issue. Keane himself experienced similar criticism towards the end of his career, but he believes that players can still perform well if they are played in their natural position. He observed that Casemiro did not receive enough support from his teammates, and his lack of pace was exposed.
Keane also pointed out that the entire team's defensive structure was in disarray against Palace, and Casemiro was not the only one at fault. He expressed his disappointment in the team's performance and stressed the importance of having a strong defensive unit. In the end, he concluded that he would have chosen any other player over Casemiro to play in central defense against a team like Crystal Palace, who have shown their attacking prowess in recent games.
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