MIDFIELDER Fabio Carvalho sent Casemiro into early retirement during Liverpool’s 3-0 preseason demolition of Manchester United, say fans.
And if the result – United’s second straight defeat to a Premier League side in the USA – wasn’t bad enough, their leaky defence has added to Erik ten Hag’s ever-growing list of headaches.
Casemiro couldn’t get near Carvalho in United’s 3-0 defeat
The Brazilian faltered under pressure at the Williams-Brice Stadium – in front of a record crowd attendance for a non-US football crowd
A week after the Red Devils lost 2-1 to Arsenal, they ended their preseason tour in South Carolina in embarrassing defeat to Arne Slot’s solid side.
Any hope of a positive performance from United didn’t last long as Carvalho put Liverpool in front inside the first 10 minutes.
Curtis Jones doubled their lead before half-time and Kostas Tsimikas rounded things off after the restart.
Fans were left reeling and worried for what’s to come in a week’s time – as they face rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley
United fans were particularly unhappy with the first goal and Casemiro’s role in the build-up.
Carvalho danced into the penalty area and quickly twisted around Casemiro who stumbled as he looked to turn and stop the shot.
For a player who was once among the world’s most formidable defensive midfielders, it was a somber sight.
Casemiro, who had been struggling in the latter weeks of the previous season, was left out of United’s side on the day they defeated Man City 2-1 in the FA Cup final due to an unexpected injury.
And the Old Trafford faithful were quick to voice their frustrations on social media.
One said: “Carvalho sent Casemiro into an early retirement💀.”
A second wrote: “I am losing patience with Casemiro. Find a solution to sell him.”
A third added: “Love him but he shouldn’t be starting for Manchester United anymore.”
While anther declared: “There’s no question that Casemiro should leave the only problem is we seem to be unable to sell him.”
Casemiro won just two of his seven duels during the 90 minutes, losing possession a whopping 16 times.
Fabio Carvalho inspired Liverpool to a dominant win in the US