Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has pulled no punches towards Casemiro after the Manchester United star’s underwhelming performance against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Sunday.
Casemiro started the Premier League clash alongside Kobbie Mainoo, who was hailed for his performance, and failed to impress with his display against Luton Town.
The 31-year-old Brazilian was praised for his impact at Old Trafford in his debut season, but Casemiro’s influence for Manchester United has waned in the current campaign.
Casemiro was slammed for his challenges against Luton Town and the United midfielder was booked in the Premier League clash at Kenilworth Road.
The ex-Real Madrid star was fortunate to avoid a second booking in United’s 2-1 win and Luton Town’s players and fans were furious Casemiro was not sent off.
Erik ten Hag withdrew Casemiro after the first half and brought on Scott McTominay in his place, with a Rasmus Hojlund brace sealing the win against Luton Town.
However, Graeme Souness was unimpressed with Casemiro’s behaviour on the pitch and ruthlessly tore into the Brazil international’s overall performance.
Souness criticises Man Utd star Casemiro
Graeme Souness has been an outspoken critic of Casemiro after Manchester United signed the Brazilian in a deal worth up to £70m in 2022 from Real Madrid.
The 70-year-old former Sky Sports pundit famously referred to Casemiro as a “steady Eddie” and claimed that he was “lucky to be in that Real Madrid team.”
Speaking on talkSPORT, Souness insisted that the United midfielder is “famous for professional fouls” and it was one of the main features of his career at Madrid.
The Liverpool legend once again called Casemiro a “steady” player, but Souness added that the former Los Blancos star is a “bit clumsy” at times.
“This is not new, it’s how he played at Real Madrid,” Souness said (as per the Manchester Evening News).
“He was famous for professional fouls, stopping breakaways, committing a foul, maybe taking a card for the cause because of a threatening situation. That was his career at Real Madrid. He’s a steady player.
“He doesn’t put it about. You can get booked for lots of things but he doesn’t put it about. He gives fouls away. He sees danger, sometimes a bit clumsy, slowing down.
“The biggest problem he had yesterday, which is part of the professional game, it’s not a new thing, the biggest danger of him getting a second yellow card, a red card was the way the Luton players go after the referee.”
Ten Hag defends Man Utd star Casemiro
Speaking after the 2-1 win against Luton Town, Erik ten Hag defended Casemiro and revealed his decision to withdraw him from the pitch was a tactical move.
The United boss argued that Casemiro’s first booking was “so unfair” and Ten Hag subbed him off in the second half because he could have “easily” been sent off.
“I spoke already with him, but it looks like even when he is not touching opponents, he is getting booked,” Ten Hag said at his post-match press conference.
“Often in the first moment in the game and I think today this was similar. I think his first booking is so unfair.
“The referee could have easily given him a second booking and that is why we took him off.
“It is difficult then to [be cautious] when you haven’t even touched an opponent. Then you get booked.”
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