6 days ago
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Rio Ferdinand has once again called out Jamie Carragher for his criticism of Casemiro, after praising the Brazil international's Manchester United performances this season.
Former England internationals Ferdinand and Carragher got into a dispute over their differing opinions on the Champions League veteran last year. Carragher previously irked Ferdinand when he said, 'Leave the football, before the football leaves you,' referring to former Real Madrid star Casemiro, who had struggled for form at Old Trafford.
The Liverpool icon has also called the former defender 'a clown' when he was questioned over comments about the Africa Cup of Nations and Mohamed Salah.
And now, Ferdinand has offered some sterling praise of Casemiro, but couldn't resist bringing up Carragher's initial comments that he believes to be proven wrong.
The midfielder has become a regular under Ruben Amorim this season. The 33 year old has started seven Premier League matches and partnered Bruno Fernandes in midfield.
Ferdinand believes he is showing the qualities that made United sign him in the first place. "He built a stellar career, a five-time Champions League-winning career on the back of being the glue, the person that nitted the backline and midfield together and just plugged the gaps," he said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.
"He wasn't asked to run all over the place, or be a 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 the old Casermiro.
"It takes me back to what was said by Jamie Carragher about "leave the game",' Ferdinand added. "Which I said at the time I thought it was highly disrespectful when you're talking about a five-time Champions League winner who is going through maybe a changing approach to football at a time where he looked out of sorts.
"Players lose confidence, players lose form. But I think the call was too early and it was highly disrespectful for someone that has achieved so much in the game."
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Ferdinand reckons Casemiro has gained from an adjustment to Amorim's setup and is fulfilling a vital role in United's encouraging run.
"And I think by looking at how the system has been tweaked in the approach and you're seeing the benefits in someone like Casemiro," he said. "This isn't a 20-game sequence so we're not going to go too crazy but the games we've seen where there's been an upturn in form (he has had an impact).
"You don't win five Champions Leagues without resilience, character and work ethic. Now, he's the reference point for any player that's going through a hard time at this football club."
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