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6 months ago
31 Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown claims Erik ten Hag is also to blame for Casemiro’s slump in form after he made another mistake in Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
The Brazilian midfielder, who looks set to leave Old Trafford in the summer, was asked again to play at centre-back. A role he isn’t comfortable playing but Ten Hag doesn’t have any other options at centre-back due to injuries.
Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire are the latest centre-backs to sustain injuries, hence why we are being subjected to a defensive pairing of Casemiro and Jonny Evans. It’s far from ideal and we’ve struggled to win football matches.
Casemiro’s lapse in concentration cost United against Arsenal. After Andre Onana launched a long back down the pitch, the Brazilian veteran failed to race out to play Kai Havertz offside, allowing him to set up Leandro Trossard to score the game’s only goal.
He also received criticism for his poor display in United’s 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last week.
Keown insists the defeat to Palace should have forced Ten Hag to make a change.
“It’s schoolboy stuff and it’s remarkable,” Keown told BBC Sport.
“He’s not a specialist defender and that’s why we look to Ten Hag and we say, OK, what information are you stitching into the players?
“You’ve had a chance to reflect on the Crystal Palace game. Casemiro, top player, but he’s not a central defender, so change that. And I think the importance is the partnership of your central defenders and Arsenal showed that.
“If you’ve got strength in that position, then you’ve got a platform to build from.”
"It's schoolboy stuff… it's remarkable" 😲@martinkeown5 and @no1shaygiven were not impressed with Casemiro’s part in Arsenal’s goal ❌#MOTD2 #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/pUcxBEJyrN
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 12, 2024
Former Man City and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given was surprised by Casemiro’s lazy attempts to join United’s high line in the build-up.
“The thing about that goal, if it was the last 10 minutes and he was leggy and he was tired… but it’s 20 minutes into the game,” Given said. “It’s not like he’s tired.
“He should be sprinting up. It’s really, really basic. Even from a central midfielder, a defensive midfielder, you should squeeze the pitch.”
Wayne Rooney also told Sky Sports that he felt Casemiro’s actions for the goal were a sign of laziness.
“It’s lazy. He’s lazy. The rest of his teammates have pushed put and they get caught.
“Whether you’re a midfielder player or a centre-back, you have to be ready to push out with the rest of the team. If not, you play everyone onside and you get punished.”
"It's lazy" 🙄
Wayne Rooney says Casemiro has to do better ⬇ pic.twitter.com/OWF5xW6UXo
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 12, 2024
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