Manchester United pair Fred and Casemiro have come under fire following Brazil’s shock World Cup elimination by Croatia in the quarter-finals.
As reported by Sport Witness, the midfield pairing came under fire from journalists in Brazil.
Brazil lost a tense match against Croatia on penalties, despite Neymar giving them the lead in the first half of extra time.
Iconic former Brazilian commentator Galvão Bueno, considered one of Brazil’s most influential speakers, took to Twitter to call out the United pair.
“Fred didn’t come in to close the midfield. What was he doing on the back line of the Brazilian attack on that shot? he wrote about Fred.
Bueno then blamed Casemiro for the Croatian equalizer, accusing the five-time Champions League winner of leaving space that led to the equalizer.
“Casemiro next to the entrance to the opposing team’s area! Space left! It was the match ball! And went! He scored the goal!” he wrote.
The criticism, of Casemiro in particular, is an example of how fickle the world of football can be; a hero after their shock win against Switzerland and the overall high level of performance in the tournament now counts for nothing after Brazil’s unexpected early exit.
Brazil’s talisman Neymar also recently took to his own Twitter page to label Casemiro the best midfielder in the world. Similar sentiments were echoed, but the Brazilian boss, Tite.
“Casemiro has been the best midfielder in the world for a long time.” Neymar said.
Brazil will rightly be disappointed with their exit from the quarter-final stage in Qatar, having been the favorites to lift the trophy.
On the plus side for United, Erik ten Hag will have the pair back sooner than expected and they could even be available for the Carabao Cup match against Burnley two days after the final.
If not, they will almost certainly be ready for the return of the Premier League, against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford, on December 27.
With the World Cup now in the semi-final stage, United have only two players left in Qatar; Raphael Varane from France and the Argentine Lisandro MartÃnez, both favorites to reach the final next Sunday.
