Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender William Gallas has defended under-pressure Manchester United star Casemiro - and told Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher his criticism of the player is "too harsh."
The Brazil midfielder, 32, is facing yet more scrutiny after an error-ridden display in the 3-0 home loss to Liverpool saw him be hooked at half-time. On the back of a series of poor displays last term, the ex-Real Madrid ace has copped plenty of criticism.
Liverpool legend Carragher - who told Casemiro to pack in Premier League last season - didn't hold back himself saying it was a "sad sight seeing what he's going through out there" after the five-times Champions League winner gifted the ball away for one goal and got knocked off if it for another.
Rio Ferdinand labelled Carragher "disrespectful" for those comments and, asked if he agreed, ex-Chelsea centre-half Gallas said: “Jamie Carragher is too harsh on Casemiro. Casemiro is in a bad moment and maybe he’ll end up leaving Manchester United, but he might enjoy his football again if he was to return to Spain for example. He’s only 32 so he’s nowhere near retirement; I think he’s got another five or six years before retirement.”
Two-time Premier League winner Gallas was asked if he thought Casemiro could turn his season around at Manchester United. They visit Southampton on Saturday desperate to avoid a third straight loss in only their fourth league game of the campaign. Former France international Gallas, 47, said: “The big question over Casemiro is, is he happy in Manchester?
“In my opinion, his body language suggests that he isn’t happy living there. He is making so many more mistakes than when he was at Real Madrid, when he lived with a great lifestyle and sunshine. Now he is in Manchester and it’s cold and raining and it can be difficult for some players off the pitch.
"He’s from Brazil and then lived in Spain and it’s not like he just jumped across the border from France where the weather is similar. It’s not always easy.”
poebcklor
23
Just to remind Carragher, 05.12.1998 you scored own goal at white hart lane and spurs won by 2 to 1 01.05.1999 at Anfield you scored another own goal though liverpool won the match 3 to 2 11.9.1999 man u beat liverpool by 3 to 2 at Anfield and carragher scored own goal 13.05.2006 another own goal in a draw with west ham 3:3 and almost put liverpool in doubt of winning the cup, tho God helped. 01.11.2008 liverpool lost 1:2 to spurs at white hart lane and it was his goal that gave spurs the win 13.12.2008 carragher denied liverpool a win against hull city at Anfield by scoring own goal and ended 2:2 24.10.2010 you denied liverpool a clean sheet by scoring own goal against Blackburn at Anfield and it ended 2:1 These were big mistakes Carragher made during his playing time, and the way he criticises other players you may think he was a perfect defender!