‘I don’t get it. I don’t believe…’: World Cup winner left perplexed by United star’s fall from grace

Numerous Manchester United players have had their performances heavily dissected following the 4-0 thrashing at Selhurst Park, with perhaps the primary victim being Casemiro.

Indeed, the Brazilian has found himself under the microscope for what plenty believe was his worst-ever showing in a United shirt, and there’s certainly good reason to hold such an opinion.

Casemiro set an unwanted Premier League record for the season by being dribbled past eight times across the 90 minutes, the most of any player in a single game in 2023/2024.

He was woeful in the build-up to all four Crystal Palace goals and could only hang his head when the referee blew his whistle on United’s heaviest – and 18th – defeat of the term.

Still, it must be remembered that the 32-year-old is being made to operate out of his comfort zone due to United’s debilitating injury crisis, which has undoubtedly hit the backline the hardest.

Called upon to deputise for the sidelined centre-halves, Casemiro has partnered Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans in recent outings, and it remains to be seen when he can return to his usual position alongside Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.

Lebouef puzzled by Casemiro’s fall from grace

France legend Frank Leboeuf weighed in on Casemiro’s showing while analysing the contest on ESPN.

“We don’t know what’s going on in the dressing room, but how come, from Real Madrid, even if you’re not the player you used to be, you can lose almost everything in almost two seasons?” the World Cup winner questioned.

“I don’t get it. I don’t believe [it] because I was such a fan of Casemiro. What I saw yesterday [Monday] is somebody who lost the appetite, lost the feeling and is not the one that I know with all the football knowledge we’ve seen throughout the years he played for Real Madrid and Brazil. That’s not understandable for me.”