Rio Ferdinand hits back at Jamie Carragher’s early criticism of Casemiro after recent form

The Brazil international put United 2-0 up when his shot took a deflection into the net, having already set up Matheus Cunha’s opening goal.

Speaking on his latest podcast, Ferdinand said: “He built a stellar career, a five-time Champions League-winning career, on the back of being the glue, the person that knitted the backline and midfield together and just plugged the gaps,” he said before adding, “He wasn’t asked to run all over the place or be the creator. He was the one who was mopping up and doing all the dirty work and marshalling an area. And recently, this is what we’ve seen; we’ve seen something like old Casemiro.”

Carragher had told him: “Leave football before football leaves you.” In response to those comments, Ferdinand added: “Players lose confidence; players lose form. But I think that call was too early. I think it was highly disrespectful for someone that has achieved so much in their game.”

What exactly did Jamie Carragher say about Casemiro?

In May 2024, Carragher suggested Casemiro should step away from top-level football after a run of poor form at Manchester United.

At the time, Casemiro was far from his best. This was before he had adapted his role to fit Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system. Erik ten Hag was still in charge, and United were heading towards an FA Cup final.

The comments came after a 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace when Carragher said on Sky Sports: “I think Casemiro should know tonight that he should only have another three games left at the top level.

“The next two league games and the cup final, then he should be thinking, I need to go to the MLS or Saudi.”

He continued: “This has to stop because we are watching one of the greats of the modern time. I always remember the saying ‘leave the football before the football leaves you’. The football has left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move.”

“The level of that player, he should not be putting himself through this. He is too good of a player to be putting in a performance like that, being laughed at by Crystal Palace. He needs to call it a day.”