Andy Cole is not impressed by Casemiro this season (Picture: Getty)
Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has been left ‘concerned’ by the form of Casemiro amid the Brazilian midfielder’s hit-and-miss second season at Old Trafford.
Casemiro arrived from Real Madrid last summer and was a lynchpin of Erik ten Hag’s side, scoring in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley and helping guide the team to a top-four finish.
However, Casemiro has struggled to hit the same heights in his second season which has been marred with injuries.
The 32-year-old missed a large portion of the first half of the campaign with an ankle injury and, although returning at the end of January, he has struggled for consistency.
The midfielder did score the winner against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round in midweek but former United star Cole has still been left unimpressed by his levels of performance this season.
‘You have to be concerned because he was such a big influence last season,’ he told Betfred.
‘So if you’re such a big influence one season and then you’re struggling the next, then of course everybody’s going to ask questions.
Casemiro scored his first goal of the season in midweek (Picture: Getty)
‘In football, you can never rest on your laurels because everybody’s always questioning everything.
‘In his debut season for Manchester United, Casemiro was incredible and you would have expected the same level of performance from him this season.
‘I don’t believe he’s the only Manchester United player whose performances have dipped, but people are questioning Casemiro’s performances because they expect so much more from him.’
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Casemiro is United’s highest earner on £350,000 a week and has already attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League.
The midfielder, though, has a contract until 2026 and has maintained his desire to continue playing for United.
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