UMVA has learned that Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has spoken out about Manchester United's decision to sign Casemiro, expressing regret over his harsh criticism of the midfielder while still standing by his concerns about the transfer.
Carragher had previously told Casemiro to "leave the football before the football leaves you" towards the end of the 2023-24 campaign, as the Brazilian struggled to adapt to life at Old Trafford. The comments came after a difficult start to his spell in Manchester, with many questioning whether he was past his prime.
However, Casemiro has since turned his form around, impressing over the last two seasons and leading to calls for Manchester United to offer him a new deal. Carragher now admits that his criticism was "too harsh" and "premature," but still believes that United made a mistake by signing him.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Carragher argued that Casemiro would have been better off heading to the MLS or accepting offers from Saudi Arabia, rather than trying to recapture his former glory at United. He questioned whether the club would still have signed Casemiro if they could go back in time, given that they had initially prioritized signing a younger player.
Carragher did acknowledge that Casemiro has changed the perception of his United career, and that he deserves credit for adapting to a new role and finding a way to contribute to the team. He also praised former United player Michael Carrick for helping to find a suitable role for Casemiro.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Carragher still believes that United will learn from their experience with Casemiro, and that in the future, they will be more cautious when considering signings of a similar age and status. He acknowledged that Casemiro is a Champions League and La Liga legend, and that he will deserve a warm ovation when he departs Old Trafford.
The Brazilian midfielder is expected to make a return to the United lineup for Sunday's clash with Nottingham Forest, which will be his last home game. Carragher's comments have sparked a renewed debate about the signing of Casemiro, and whether United made a mistake by bringing him to the club.
