Manchester United fans have dropped their verdict on Casemiro after the former Real Madrid star was a makeshift centre-back for the FA Cup semi-final tie on Sunday.
The Red Devils punched their ticket to Wembley for the Coventry City clash after a 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford last month.
The FA Cup remains Erik ten Hag’s last chance of lifting major silverware this season, having fallen short of the trophy in the previous campaign.
Coventry City reached the FA Cup semi-finals this season after causing a stunning 3-2 upset over Wolves in the quarter-finals at the Molineux in March.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag had been hit with an injury crisis to his defensive line for the FA Cup tie against Coventry.
Willy Kambwala had been playing in defence alongside former United captain Harry Maguire in recent weeks amid injuries to the Red Devils’ backline.
However, the 19-year-old United centre-back was left out of the Red Devils’ first-team squad for the trip to Wembley due to an injury.
Other senior United centre-backs like Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans have all been sidelined because of injuries.
Casemiro steps up for Man Utd vs Coventry City
Casemiro has faced mounting criticism this season at Old Trafford after the Manchester United midfielder’s influence waned in the middle of the park.
The 32-year-old Brazilian was widely praised for his impact at United in his debut season, having forged an effective partnership with Christian Eriksen.
Casemiro has featured regularly for United this season and the former Real Madrid star has often been partnered alongside teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo.
However, the Brazil captain has had to contend with injuries this season, has been inconsistent and has struggled for form under United manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag has staunchly defended the underperforming Casemiro, who has struggled to keep up with the pace of matches and his legs have appeared to be going.
The former Ajax boss turned to the former Los Blancos midfielder for the Coventry City match and started him in defence alongside Harry Maguire at Wembley.
Man Utd fans react to Casemiro’s FA Cup semi-final performance
United fans took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, and shared their mixed feelings on Casemiro’s overall performance against Coventry City.
Some Red Devils supporters were impressed with the Brazil international showing his strengths in defence, including his possession on the ball and his passing ability.
However, other United fans raised concerns about the “crazy” space he left behind him at the times in defence and said he wasn’t “awful” as a makeshift defender.
Casemiro also missed the opening penalty for United in their shootout win over Coventry City after the Red Devils suffered a collapse at Wembley while leading 3-0.
“I think we found Casemiro’s spot. Don’t ever put him back [in] mid[field],” one fan said.
Someone else commented: “Casemiro at CB might be the new play [because] other than Lisandro and Maguire which other United centre-backs are that comfy in possession?”
“I’m actually quite liking Casemiro at centre-back. It suits his passing range,” a third wrote.
Another tweeted: “Casemiro coming out and leaving space behind him as a CB is crazy.”
While a fifth posted: “Casemiro is a better centre-half than a midfielder. Already one of the best CBs this season for [Man United].”
And a sixth added: “Casemiro at centre-back hasn’t been awful, he’s [the] right level of aggressive and assured on the ball, could be a solution. Need another ball-playing midfielder in the summer, though.”
Somebody else argued: “I think the only person more checked out than United fans is Casemiro.”
An eighth tweeted: “Still laughing at Casemiro treating the ball like his mortal enemy all season but then going for a friendly little panenka in the [penalty kicks] at Wembley.”