Manchester United midfielder Casemiro was slammed by ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher after his horrific performance in the 4-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace.
Casemiro started in the centre-back role last night and captained the side in the absence of Bruno Fernandes.
The former Real Madrid star was directly at fault for two of Palace’s goals.
He needlessly dived in, allowing Michael Olise an easy run to open the scoring. Casemiro also lost the ball during Olise’s second goal. He was easily nutmegged and looked shaky all night.
Carragher advised Casemiro to retire from the top level in a brutal post-match assessment on Monday Night Football.
He said: “I said at half-time that he had to bring Casemiro off.
“I know he’s got kids on the bench but I think Casemiro – I am being deadly serious – should know himself tonight as an experienced player, that he should only have another three games at the top level, the next two league games and the cup final, and thinking ‘I need to go the MLS or Saudi’.
“I am being deadly serious. His agent or the people around him need to tell him it has to stop.
“We are watching one of the greats in modern times, played in one of the best midfielders in modern times – him holding (Toni) Kross and (Luka) Modric on either side, who could easily go up against the Barcelona midfield we all know and love.
“I am nowhere near the level of what that man achieved, but I always remember something when I retired.
“It was a saying I always remember as a footballer. Leave the football before the football leaves you. The football has left him at the top level. He needs to call it a day at this level of football and move.”
Casemiro’s decline is clear to see at Man United
It is hard to believe the dramatic decline of the five-time Champions League winner over the last year.
Casemiro played a vital role in helping the Red Devils secure a top-four finish and win the League Cup last season.
It felt like the star midfielder still had a couple more seasons left in him at the highest level.
From the pinnacle of success to the depths of decline, this campaign has vividly showcased the stark reality of a player’s dramatic fall.
Palace frequently targeted Casemiro as he offered space behind him. He couldn’t cope with Olise’s trickery and showed no leadership even with the captain’s armband.
It was a catastrophic display, and United fans hope they will not see a repeat of it in the remaining four games of the season.
