1
Manchester United got dominated for most of the 90 minutes by Liverpool but could have grabbed all three points if not for another late equaliser.
Manager Erik ten Hag might keep ignoring the obvious problems but except for a short period after the first goal, the Red Devils hardly ever looked in control.
The Merseysiders attacked at will at times with no midfield to stop them as the manager’s high-transition style saw everyone push up except for the backline.
This strange style has affected the team throughout the season with the 20-time English league champions crashing out of Europe altogether while currently languishing in sixth place in the Premier League.
Casemiro’s poor form
Even finishing sixth looks unlikely considering current form and the FA Cup could be the only way to playing in Europe next season.
All the big-name performers from last season have struggled to perform this season with Casemiro being one of them.
The 32-year-old spoke to ESPN Brazil about his difficult sophomore campaign in England and revealed he is having “sleepless nights” thinking about the team’s form.
The defensive midfielder is not used to ending a season without a trophy in sight or something to fight for. Even last season, the Red Devils clinched the Carabao Cup and were fighting for a top three finish and the FA Cup.
“It’s difficult. This is the point that bothers me most about not fighting for titles. Being 20 points behind first place. Sometimes, I can’t even sleep to try to think about doing something different.
“It’s reality. There’s no point in thinking about title or Champions League places, we need to think about today’s games.”
Erratic display
“We need to think about the day to day, we had the opportunity to score nine points in the last few games and we scored two. We were upset and we have to think game by game and focus on the next match, against Bournemouth.”
Regarding the game, he felt United fought back well but the truth is the Old Trafford giants have clinched only two points from their last three games despite leading in all three of them.
“The game [vs. Liverpool] was very fast-paced and well played. A classic. We were playing against one of the leaders of the competition and who is going through a good moment. We responded well,” Casemiro said.
“Both teams had opportunities. The game was good. At home we are strong, but we played against a great team. We have to think about the next match.”
The five-time Champions League winner was arguably the signing of last season when Ten Hag preferred to play a more possession-based approach, this season he looks like a shadow of his former self.
Casemiro was bypassed easily by the Liverpool players and his passing was quite erratic as he ended the game with a passing accuracy of only 69 percent (via Sofascore).
The former Real Madrid superstar looks sluggish in possession and abysmal when tracking back and it is clear to see that he is not the best fit for the chosen playing style.
Casemiro’s time is up
He ended Sunday’s game at Old Trafford with a duel success rate of only 45 percent. He was also dribbled past thrice and often resorted to cynical fouls to stop the opposition as seen from his late and dangerous tackle on Luis Diaz.
The manager’s tactics have not helped while injuries which have kept the Brazilian sidelined for 17 games this term has also contributed to his declining form.
INEOS are keen to move him on due to his enormous wages with Sir Jim Ratcliffe unhappy that the club pursued such a short-term deal in the first place.
Fans will not complain too much if he leaves at the end of the campaign, as long as INEOS can recoup a decent chunk of money. Saudi Arabian teams are prepared to pay a large sum to land the veteran.
Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: .
[…] source https://www.soccer2day.co.za/2024/04/08/casemiro-has-sleepless-nights-thinking-of-manchester-uniteds… […]