Former Arsenal defender blasts Jamie Carragher’s Casemiro criticism as ‘too harsh’ after the pundit claimed it was a ‘sad sight’ watching the Man United midfielder’s showing against Liverpool

A former Arsenal defender has warned Jamie Carragher his criticism of Casemiro was ‘too harsh’.

The Manchester United midfielder endured a horrific 45th minute of his team’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on the Sunday before the international break, giving the ball away for the first two goals of the game.

He was taken off the field at half-time by manager Erik ten Hag and replaced by youngster Toby Collyer, but Ten Hag was confident he would return after the defeat.

Carragher, meanwhile, did not hold back his criticism and launched a fierce attack on the veteran while sitting alongside Sky Sports colleague and former United defender Gary Neville.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea player William Gallas, however, via The Mirrorcriticized the announcer for his analysis of the Brazilian’s performance in the match.

Carragher (pictured) said the midfielder’s performance against Liverpool was ‘sad to watch’

William Gallas meanwhile has defender Casemiro on the back of his horror show last Sunday

“He’s had such a great career and won everything you can win and it’s sad to see what he’s going through,” Carragher said at the time.

‘A bad pass can always happen, but the second time he gets knocked down, he looks devastated as he falls over.’

Gallas, meanwhile, said: ‘Jamie Carragher is too hard on Casemiro. Casemiro is in a bad period and he might leave United, but he could enjoy his football again if he went back to Spain, for example.

“He’s only 32, so he’s not retired yet. I think he’s got five or six years left until retirement.”

‘The big question about Casemiro is, is he happy in Manchester? In my opinion, his body language suggests that he is not happy in Manchester. He makes so many more mistakes than when he was at Real Madrid, when he had a great lifestyle and sunshine. Now he is in Manchester and it is cold and rainy and it can be difficult for some players off the pitch.

“He comes from Brazil and then lived in Spain and it’s not like he just jumped across the border from France, where the weather is similar. It’s not always easy.”

Casemiro has made 87 appearances for United since arriving in the summer of 2022, but has struggled to match the standards of his time at Real Madrid, which saw him win five Champions League titles.

Rio Ferdinand called Carragher’s words “very disrespectful” and called the pair’s feud heated again.

Neville said at the time of Casemiro’s performance: ‘I have to say he’s lost his confidence a little bit. For Casemiro, someone who has won Champions Leagues with Real Madrid, it can happen to you in games.’

Neville analysed Liverpool’s second goal and explained: ‘Casemiro just gets cleared off the ball. No foul, he just takes it off him.’

Gallas, who also played for clubs such as Chelsea and Tottenham, suggested that the Brazilian should start enjoying his football again

The midfielder was substituted at half-time after scoring the first two goals

Ten Hag meanwhile said about his man: ‘It’s what the team needed [the substitution]. You know when you’re 2-0 down against Liverpool you have to take more risks, it’s going to be wide open.

“When you lose, you have to take more risks. I have to compliment the team. You have to keep fighting and stick together.

“You know the game and he knows the game. He’s going to keep going and we’re going to keep going. He’s a great player. We’re going to keep improving the team and the players this season.

‘He has improved and has shown so many times that he has a great character. He has won everything in his career.’