Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has responded to Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher previously spoke about Casemiro’s time at Manchester United(Image: James Gill – Danehouse, Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been labelled “disrespectful” by Manchester United’s Casemiro after the pundit urged him to leave the club in 2024. The veteran midfielder has since proved his doubters wrong following a revival at Old Trafford.
The Brazil skipper has been pivotal in Michael Carrick’s side clinching a Champions League spot this campaign. Defensive midfielder Casemiro has scored nine goals in 33 league appearances from defensive midfield to end his four-year stint in fine form.
The 34-year-old had previously suffered difficult spells at United. In the wake of a 4-0 thrashing by Crystal Palace in May 2024, Liverpool icon Carragher claimed that Casemiro’s days as an elite player were behind him.
OPINION
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“There’s a saying I always remember as a footballer, ‘Leave the football before the football leaves you,’” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “The football has left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move.”
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Two years later, the five-time Champions League victor has arguably delivered his finest season in English football. However, Casemiro has responded to Carragher after being reminded of his “leave the football before the football leaves you” assessment by former United defender Rio Ferdinand, who has also clashed with his former England colleague.
“So… It’s your opinion. I respect your opinion. I don’t like it because it’s disrespectful. It’s disrespectful to me,” Casemiro said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel.
“What I win in football. But football changes. Life changes. Life changes. So, look now. It’s about this. For me, the best thing in this moment we speak in Spain is I live in the big dark. I live in a good feeling.
“Everyone misses Casemiro. You know? About this, I decided to leave because I live in good. Because it’s the same in Madrid. Everyone misses me there. Everyone misses this team. Now, it’s the same. So, life changes.
“It’s the life. Everyone forgets very quick. Everyone forgets very quick. But, again, the mentality.”
Manchester United star Casemiro has responded to Jamie Carragher’s comment(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Before his switch to United, Casemiro spent eight-and-a-half years at Real Madrid, collecting a host of major honours, including three La Liga crowns and five Champions League trophies. Earlier this campaign, the Brazilian announced he would be leaving United at the end of the season.
While Casemiro has hit back at Carragher, the pundit has already acknowledged his error. In February, the 48-year-old reflected on his scathing assessment of the United midfielder following a run of commanding displays under new manager Carrick.
“It is now fair to say the football has not left him,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “Casemiro is well within his rights to, if he wants to come back at me and say, ‘Leave the punditry before the punditry’s left you!’ He could definitely get one of those back in. Credit to him, he looks a completely different player.”
Head to the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel to watch part 2 of the full interview live from 8am on Wednesday 13th May.
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