Ian Wright DEFENDS Casemiro and brands Jamie Carragher ‘disrespectful’ for brutally telling Man United midfielder to ‘call it a day’ and saying ‘football has left him’

Ian Wright has jumped to Casemiro’s defense, calling Jamie Carragher ‘disrespectful’ for his scathing criticism of the Manchester United midfielder.

Casemiro had a night to forget as Erik ten Hag’s men were defeated 4-0 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday.

The Brazilian has been responsible for two of Palace’s goals as he continues his disappointing form this season.

Carragher did not hold back in his criticism of Casemiro, urging him to ‘stop it’ because ‘football has left him’.

However, Wright believes the 32-year-old can still operate at the top level as he blamed Manchester United for not putting the right players around him.

Casemiro played a role in two of Crystal Palace’s goals in the 4-0 defeat at Selhurst Park

“I wanted to quickly mention Casemiro because he was one of the main talking points after that match,” Wright said Wrighty’s House podcast.

“We saw Jamie Carragher mention him on the show, about how great he’s been over the years and how maybe he should quit now and go to MLS or Saudi, which I thought was really disrespectful if I’m honest.

Wright added: “No matter what people say about him, I don’t think he’s ready. I don’t think he is. You can tell we’re talking about a world-class player who played on a world-class team. A club of United’s stature should have players who can help him.”

After Casemiro’s poor performance at Palace, Carragher said: ‘I said at half-time that he (Ten Hag) had to take Casemiro off the pitch.

‘I know there are children on the bench, but I think that Casemiro, very seriously, as an experienced player, should know tonight that he only has three games left to play at the highest level. The next two league games and the [FA] cup final.

“And he should be thinking, ‘I have to go to MLS or Saudi.’ I’m dead serious. He is getting older, the people around him have to tell him that this has to stop.

Carragher did not hold back in his criticism of Casemiro and urged him to ‘stop it’

“We see one of the greats of the modern era playing in one of the best midfields we have ever seen, dominating Europe.

‘He holds, [Toni] Duckweed aside [Luka] Modric on the other hand was one of the best midfielders. Could easily take on the Barcelona midfield we all loved (with) [Sergio] Busquets, Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta.

“He’s been absolutely amazing. I’m nowhere near the level of what that man has achieved. Champions Leagues, playing for Brazil, playing for Real Madrid.

‘But I always remember something when I retired, there was a saying that I always remember as a footballer: “Leave football before football leaves you”.

‘Football has left him at this top level. He needs to stop this level of football and move on.”

Wright believes the Brazilian can still play at the top level as he blamed Man United for his downfall

Carragher further claimed that Man United must pay off Casemiro, who has two years left on his £350,000-a-week contract, in the hope of taking him off the books.

He added: “He must have made a few quid, good luck to him. They pay him off and make some kind of deal, but given the level of that player, he shouldn’t do that to himself.

‘He is too good a player to put in such a performance and then be laughed at by Crystal Palace. He won’t play against Manchester City or Real Madrid, all because of Crystal Palace.

‘A man of that level should not have to go through what he is going through. He has to put an end to it.”