It is not even two years since Casemiro, at his zenith perhaps the finest defensive midfielder in the world, delivered a masterclass to suffocate Liverpool and win his fifth Champions League title with Real Madrid. Today, consumed by the vortex at Manchester United, he has morphed into a faintly pitiful figure, with his casual loss of possession en route to Crystal Palace’s fourth goal this week suggestive of a player stripped of any heart or fight.
During an interview last week following his arrest after a drunken disagreement in a Majorcan bar, the Saracens No 8 Billy Vunipola, clearly remorseful for his actions after being tasered twice at half four in the morning by Spanish police, made the following remarks during a lengthy apology. “I caused a huge amount of embarrassment and put a spotlight on the club when they were trying to do something nice for us... I ruined it for myself and for everyone else.”
European giants battling for place in next month’s final
The Dutchman will reportedly not be fired before the FA Cup final against Manchester City.