Manchester United fans and media personalities have made Brazil international Casemiro a scapegoat for the struggles of the club and Louis Saha is having none of it.
Saha played for the Red Devils between 2004 and 2008 and scored 28 league goals in 86 appearances as an attacker for the 20-time English top-flight champions.
The 45-year-old retired from the sport in 2013 after stints at Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Lazio. He is now a businessman who comments on the sport on occasion. On this occasion, he was speaking to Paddy Power about the recent brouhaha surrounding the former Real Madrid destroyer.
Casemiro almost saw another red card in United’s Premier League game against Luton Town over the weekend, having already collected more red cards than he ever did in LaLiga in just under two seasons at the club. The situation forced Erik ten Hag’s hand and he was subbed off with a yellow to preserve him for a tough run that is to come.
United would win the match thanks to a brace from Rasmus Højlund which the Hatters could not find an equaliser to. The win did not satisfy the fans, as they came down hard on ten Hag and a few players, most especially Casemiro, for almost jeopardizing the game.
Saha rose to the 31-year-old’s defense, saying, “Casemiro is not too old for the Premier League. Journalists are really on his back, maybe because Manchester United’s style of play hasn’t been quite right. Since last season, he’s been asked to do too much, and he still managed to do it. He was getting more goals, and I don’t think he got many goals at Real Madrid, but he’s taken on a bit more responsibility at United.”
“He’s trying to press and win the ball higher up the pitch which has been difficult for him. People will talk about whether he has the legs for it, and yes, he’s older than he was three years ago but he’s still a terrific player. When he recovers the ball, his first or second touch will always be into the strikers’ feet or to Bruno Fernandes to start the counterattack.”
“Those elements are crucial and especially when he’s playing with young boys alongside him, it’s very important.”
Then Saha went on to claim that his status in world football is leading to all the scrutiny he is getting.
Casemiro joined United from Real Madrid as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. He came in as a five-time UEFA Champions League winner, having played key roles for the Spanish giants in all those wins. Many expected him to change the fortunes of the club but the general malaise of Man United seems to have gotten to him too, leading to a backlash directed towards him.
“People tend to focus on Manchester United more than anyone else and it used to be Cristiano Ronaldo but now it’s Casemiro because he’s a top player who has won the Champions League”, Saha said. “The attention is always more aggressive on these types of players, and I think that’s unfair.”
