Roy Keane has never been a figure known for measured silence, especially when Manchester United are involved, and after yet another mistake-filled performance from the team, the former captain has delivered one of his harshest critiques to date.
This time, his focus was firmly fixed on Casemiro, whom Keane believes has become the primary obstacle preventing United from moving forward.
Speaking in the aftermath of United’s latest match, Keane did not mince his words. He reportedly launched a blistering attack on the Brazilian midfielder, insisting that Casemiro should be removed from the squad with immediate effect.
According to Keane, the decline in the midfielder’s performances has reached a point where patience is no longer justified.
For a player who once arrived at Old Trafford with the reputation of an elite operator and a serial winner, the contrast with his current form could hardly be starker.
Casemiro was initially celebrated as the experienced enforcer United desperately needed, but Keane believes those days are firmly in the past. In his assessment, the club is now paying the price for refusing to acknowledge reality.
Keane’s criticism was both blunt and uncompromising. He argued that the same errors keep resurfacing week after week and pointed to recent games as clear evidence that nothing has changed.
In his view, Casemiro is repeatedly involved in costly mistakes that disrupt the team’s structure and undermine their control of matches.
Keane suggested that decision-makers at the club are ignoring what is plainly visible on the pitch and warned that continuing to select the midfielder is only inflicting further damage on the side.
The phrase that resonated most strongly with supporters was Keane’s assertion that “football has left him.” For many fans, this comment encapsulated the growing sense that Casemiro’s sharpness, mobility, and timing have declined beyond repair at the highest level.
What was once a position of strength in United’s midfield now appears to be a vulnerability that opponents are quick to exploit.
Casemiro’s fall from grace has been difficult to watch. Upon his arrival from Real Madrid, he brought authority, tactical discipline, and a winning mentality that transformed United’s midfield almost instantly.
His ability to break up play and protect the back line was crucial during his early months at the club.
However, recent displays have raised serious questions. Against fast, aggressive opponents, he has struggled to keep pace, often finding himself caught out during transitions.
Keane’s opinion carries particular weight because of who he is and what he represents. As one of the greatest defensive midfielders in Premier League history, his understanding of the role is rooted in experience rather than theory.
When he speaks about standards, positioning, and responsibility in midfield, it comes from a place of deep tactical insight.
His frustration reflects a belief that Manchester United are compromising their identity by accommodating decline instead of demanding excellence.
The reference to previous matches, including the clash against Wolves, underlines Keane’s belief that this is not an isolated dip in form but part of a worrying pattern.
United’s midfield has frequently been overrun, and the player once relied upon to provide protection is now often the weakest link.
Supporters have noticed the lack of mobility, delayed reactions, and misplaced passes that invite pressure.
For manager Ruben Amorim, this creates a difficult dilemma. Persisting with Casemiro risks continued criticism and potential dropped points, while sidelining a senior figure requires decisiveness and authority.
Keane’s message is clear: loyalty cannot come at the expense of standards. Whether United heed that warning may define their season.
