Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has spoken out on one Manchester United star who was “thrust” back into the starting XI against Tottenham on Sunday evening.
Manchester United’s woes continued under Ruben Amorim after Spurs secured a 1-0 Premier League win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the weekend.
Ruben Amorim’s men impressed early in the first half before James Maddison broke the deadlock in the 13th minute for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
James Maddison’s first-half opener for Tottenham proved enough to be the difference-maker, with the Red Devils unable to rally back into the match.
Spurs have climbed to 12th place in the Premier League table, while United languish in 15th place in the aftermath of the defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Red Devils have won only eight league matches from 25 league fixtures in the 2024-25 campaign and United are 12 points clear of the relegation zone.
Redknapp on Man Utd star’s struggles
Ruben Amorim was forced to make key changes to his Manchester United line-up for the Tottenham match due to injuries ravaging his first-team squad.
The 40-year-old United manager pulled Bruno Fernandes into central midfield and played the Red Devils captain alongside former Real Madrid star Casemiro.
Amorim was without midfield trio Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer and Manuel Ugarte for the 1-0 defeat to Spurs, with all three players sidelined due to injuries.
Casemiro has been sporadically used in the 2024-25 Premier League season and the 32-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder appears a shadow of his former self.
The United and Brazil midfielder failed to impress during the 90 minutes against Tottenham and the Red Devils’ midfield was carved apart in the match.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the Spurs match, Jamie Redknapp admitted that he expected Casemiro to leave Old Trafford in the January window.
“Last time Casemiro played in the Premier League was against Newcastle and I think he was taken off at half-time,” he said, as per the Metro.
“He was struggling, him and Christian Eriksen were getting outnumbered. He’s been thrust into that position again.
“I thought he might leave Manchester United in the January window – he’s found it hard there.
“He’s been a great midfielder over the years but the Premier League is tough and it’s fast.
“Today, he’s going to have to make sure he moves his feet well and doesn’t go lunging into tackles. He’s got to use all of his experience.”
Amorim sends message to Man Utd players
Amorim urged his United players to avoid looking at the Red Devils’ schedule and wants them to focus on the next match ahead of them.
“I think the best thing is to forget the past,” he said after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat.
“Don’t focus on the schedule, don’t focus on the moment, don’t focus on the context.
“It’s just work during the week and prepare [for] the game. Then is the next game and we will try to win the game.”
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