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CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
Man Utd stars rally around Casemiro and refuse to let him take blame for Liverpool horror show
Team-mates rally round Brazilian as insiders say he still has a future at Old Trafford
CAMESMIRO has won the immediate backing of Manchester United team-mates after his much-criticised display in Liverpool's 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
Sun Online can reveal that United skipper Bruno Fernandes was among those leading a rallying cry after a disastrous defeat in which the Brazilian midfielder was hauled off at half-time.
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Portuguese midfielder Fernandes told the squad everyone had to take responsibility for a performance which many pundits think could spell the beginning of the end for manager Erik ten Hag.
A source said: “Nobody was pointing the finger at Casemiro after the game.
"If anything the opposite was true and the mood among the dressing room was that everybody had to improve and do better.
“Fernandes was particularly vocal and made clear it was on everyone to turn things around and to ensure they worked hard to get back on track.”
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And despite Casemiro’s errors on Sunday a United insider said the former Real Madrid player still has a future at the club.
He’s regarded as one of the most popular members of the dressing room and team-mates are backing him to bounce back from a horror-show.
The anchorman had been linked with a move away over the summer.
But neither Ten Hag or the club’s new management team believed shifting Casemiro would be in the club's best interests.
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Our revelations on the players' support for the 32-year-old come after his wife also rushed to his defence.
Taking to Instagram in the early hours of Monday morning, Anna Mariana Casemiro posted a photo of her husband's incredible trophy cabinet at their home, reminding fans of all he has achieved in the game.
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However, he was widely castigated for his role in Liverpool's two first-half goals from Luis Diaz.
Sky Sports co-commentator Jamie Carragher claimed it was a 'sad sight' to see Casemiro struggling so badly, and he was replaced at the interval by 20-year-old Toby Collyer.
Carragher had also called for United to move on from the midfielder following a humiliating 4-0 loss away to Crystal Palace at the end of last season.
Casemiro was also ridiculed on social media after his hapless display, prompting his wife, then as now, to hit back at critics.
Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Andre Onana - 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool's goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui - 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool's opener.
Matthijs de Ligt - 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro's error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez - 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot - 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah's cross in the build-up to Liverpool's second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro - 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool's goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo - 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes - 5
Was United's most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho - 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford - 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee - 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford's cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Tom Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) - 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) - 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) - 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) - N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
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