Jamie Carragher compelled to backtrack on brutal Casemiro feedback after Man Utd change
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has forced Jamie Carragher into an admission after the Sky Sports pundit slammed the midfielder following a dismal loss
Jamie Carragher has backtracked on his harsh assessment of Casemiro. The former Liverpool defender had previously slated the Manchester United midfielder – insisting that “football has left” the Brazilian.
Yet the 33-year-old has witnessed a remarkable revival at Old Trafford following the scathing verdict from the Sky Sports pundit, which came after United’s dismal loss to Crystal Palace in May 2024. Under Ruben Amorim this campaign, the former Real Madrid ace has delivered vital moments, scoring four goals in 15 outings.
Casemiro’s impressive spell arrives amid doubts over his future at the Theatre of Dreams. The Brazil international is now in the final six months of his deal whilst speculation swirls around potential midfield reinforcements, with Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson continuing to be touted as part of an engine room overhaul.
“Not quite yet (laughs),” Carragher admitted. “Fair play to him but Man United finished 15th last season. You know what, when I look at him? Fair play, he looks a different player physically. I remember that night at Crystal Palace, he looks almost a stone lighter.”
“To still be playing for Man United, he was never going to move on with the contract he’s got, I think that’s the thing with the deals since they last won the league title, that deal was a ridiculous one.
“It’s not going to be renewed, that’s the first area they look at bringing reinforcements in in January or the summer.”
Casemiro has become a key figure in Amorim’s squad, a far cry from when Carragher suggested the Champions League victor should “call it a day”.
The midfielder came under fire after a poor performance that saw Crystal Palace score four goals against Erik ten Hag’s team. Michael Olise netted twice, while Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell added to United’s woes.
The victory marked Palace’s first league double over United in 20 years, but it also signalled a low point for the Dutch manager’s side as it meant they missed out on European qualification.
In 2024, Carragher stated: “I think Casemiro should know tonight that he should only have another three games left at the top level. The next two league games and the cup final, then he should be thinking, I need to go to the MLS or Saudi.
“This has to stop because we are watching one of the greats of the modern time. I always remember the saying ‘leave the football before the football leaves you’.
“The football has left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move. The level of that player, he should not be putting himself through this.
“He is too good of a player to be putting in a performance like that being laughed at by Crystal Palace. He needs to call it a day.”
