Graeme Souness takes aim at "clumsy" Man Utd star with unforgiving criticism

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Graeme Souness has fired a dig at one Man United star (Image: @talkSPORT)
Graeme Souness has fired a dig at one Man United star (Image: @talkSPORT)

Graeme Souness has once again taken aim at Casemiro after he was substituted at half-time of Manchester United's win over Luton Town.

Erik ten Hag was forced into the move after the Brazilian ace went into David Coote's book during the opening half of the Kenilworth Road clash for a foul on Amari'i Bell. The former Real Madrid star was then fortunate not to pick up a second booking when he mistimed a lunge at Ross Barkley.

Erik ten Hag described the decisions to punish Casemiro as 'crazy'. "Even when he is not touching opponents he gets booked,” Ten Hag said.

"Often the first moment of the game. I think it’s crazy and it was so unfair that first booking. That second could have been so that’s why I took him off. He touches an opponent and he gets booked."

Souness was less forgiving of Casemiro's role and was unsurprised to see the 31-year-old collecting cautions. The former Scotland and Liverpool player could not agree with Alan Pardew's assertion that Casemiro puts himself about but admitted Luton antics did not help.

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He said on talkSport: "This is not new, it's how he played at Real Madrid. He was famous for professional fouls, stopping breakaways, committing a foul, maybe taking a card for the cause because of a threatening situation. That was his career at Real Madrid. He's a steady player.

"He doesn't put it about. You can get booked for lots of things but he doesn't put it about. He gives fouls away. He sees danger, sometimes a bit clumsy, slowing down. The biggest problem he had yesterday, which is part of the professional game, it's not a new thing, the biggest danger of him getting a second yellow card, a red card was they way the Luton players go after the referee."

Graeme Souness takes aim at "clumsy" Man Utd star with unforgiving criticismCasemiro of Manchester United reacts after being shown a yellow card for fouling Amari'i Bell (Shaun Botterill)

It is not the first time that Souness has suggested Man United's £60million signing is limited in his ability. Though he expected the veteran to help solidfy the Red Devils' midfield.

“I don’t think he’s got any great range of passing, I don’t think he’s going to make other people play," Souness toldtalkSPORTshortly after Casemiro arrived at Old Trafford. "The Real Madrid and that midfield, in particular, was full of footballing types. I see him as being a ‘Steady Eddie’.

“He is 30 years old, it’s £60million with add-ons, it’s too much money. It’s Man United all over again, Man United will pay a premium for players. But I don’t see him making them any better when he has the ball.

“I never think ‘I’m really excited to watch Casemiro’. I think he’ll make them [United] more solid when he’s on the ball because he senses danger and is experienced. I don’t think he’s got a range of passing, I’ve not seen that. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong but I’ve not seen him ping it all over the place.”

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Scott Trotter

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