September 5th 2024.
Casemiro's performance at Manchester United has been less than stellar this season, but former United player Roy Keane believes he will stay with the team despite his struggles. Keane also thinks that manager Erik ten Hag made a mistake by substituting Casemiro during the match against Liverpool.
Last season, Casemiro faced a difficult time due to United's injuries in defense. He was forced to play as a center-back in the absence of key players like Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane. This season, the 32-year-old was determined to prove his doubters wrong, but unfortunately, he had a disastrous display against Liverpool.
Liverpool's Luis Diaz scored two clinical goals in the first half, and Casemiro was at fault for both of them. He was punished for losing possession twice, which led to the goals. Ten Hag decided to replace him with academy graduate Toby Collyer at halftime, but it made little difference as Liverpool went on to score a third goal through Mohamed Salah.
There were rumors that Casemiro left the stadium before the match ended, but Ten Hag denied these claims. It is unlikely that he will be included in the starting lineup for the next match against Southampton after the international break. United has only earned three points in their first three games, and there have been talks of Casemiro going on loan to Galatasaray before the Turkish transfer deadline on September 13.
However, Keane, a legendary former United captain, is not ready to give up on Casemiro just yet. He believes that Ten Hag should try playing him in a more advanced position. Keane stated that Casemiro will most likely stay with the team until January, and he wouldn't write off a player at that age. He also mentioned that everyone has bad games, and it's unfair to criticize a player solely based on one performance.
The 32-year-old has received criticism for his age and lack of pace, but Keane thinks he still has something to offer the team. He believes that Casemiro's role in the team could change if he gets a few games under his belt. Keane highlighted Casemiro's ability to make passes and his threat in set-pieces.
United's current situation is concerning, with their rivals like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool performing well. Keane thinks that Casemiro's mistakes in one game should not define his future with the team. He also expressed his disappointment in Ten Hag's decision to substitute Casemiro, saying that he would have left him on the pitch to redeem himself.
Keane also mentioned that bringing on young players can sometimes be a PR move, and it was a difficult situation for Collyer to come into. He believes that United still has a chance to close the gap between them and their rivals, but it will take a lot of work. However, Keane acknowledges that it won't be an easy task for Casemiro to help United compete with the likes of Manchester City.
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