BREAKING NEWS: Rio Ferdinand BLASTS Casemiro after another poor display despite Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland.

Manchester United may have beaten Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford, but the post-match conversation quickly shifted away from the scoreline. Instead, all eyes were on Casemiro — and the stinging words of United legend Rio Ferdinand, who tore into the Brazilian’s performance.

Speaking after the game, Ferdinand delivered a brutal assessment of the five-time Champions League winner, claiming Casemiro is no longer the leader United thought they signed but has now become a liability. His words sent shockwaves across social media, where fans were already voicing frustration.

“Starting him today for Manchester United was a terrible decision,” Ferdinand declared. “He’s slow on the ball, lacks composure, and brings zero creativity. Everyone saw his costly mistakes. He offered absolutely nothing. If Amorim wants to keep his job, he needs to stop starting him immediately before he drags the whole team down.”

Such remarks will sting for Casemiro, who was once hailed as the midfield general United desperately needed. When he first joined from Real Madrid, he was expected to bring world-class quality, leadership, and the mentality of a serial winner. Instead, his time under Ruben Amorim has been marred by inconsistency, sluggish performances, and constant questions about whether he still fits into a high-intensity Premier League side.

Against Sunderland, while United secured the result thanks to goals at the other end, Casemiro once again looked off the pace. He struggled to keep up with transitions, misplaced passes in dangerous areas, and was often bypassed by Sunderland’s quicker midfielders. For a player of his pedigree, such displays only fuel the criticism that he is slowing United down rather than driving them forward.

Supporters echoed Ferdinand’s concerns. Social media platforms were flooded with angry posts from United fans calling for Casemiro to be dropped. One furious fan wrote: “I don’t know why he’s still at this club. He’s killing our momentum.” Another added: “He’s not the Casemiro from Madrid anymore. We need to trust youth like Mainoo instead of wasting time.”

Casemiro’s struggles are magnified when compared to the energy and dynamism of younger teammates such as Kobbie Mainoo, who represent the new direction Amorim is trying to build. While Mainoo thrives in Amorim’s possession-heavy, quick-transition system, Casemiro often looks a step behind, leaving gaps for opponents to exploit.

The broader concern for Amorim is whether continuing to play Casemiro undermines his own authority. Dropping a player of such stature is never easy, especially one who arrived with a hefty wage packet and global reputation. But Ferdinand’s comments highlight what many fans already believe: the time for sentiment is over, and bold decisions must be made.

It is worth noting that Casemiro’s decline is not just a Manchester United issue. At 33, his physical decline is becoming evident, and his once world-class defensive instincts cannot mask the lack of pace and sharpness required in England’s top flight. While experience remains valuable, United are at risk of being held back if they continue to rely on him as a starter.

For now, Amorim is under pressure to decide whether to persist with Casemiro or finally draw a line under his role as a guaranteed starter. With United aiming to climb back into the title race and maintain their form in Europe, the margin for error is small. Ferdinand’s scathing words have only added fuel to the fire, and the debate over Casemiro’s place in the team is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

What was once seen as a marquee signing to restore United’s midfield steel is now turning into one of the club’s biggest headaches. Casemiro’s Old Trafford journey hangs in the balance — and after Ferdinand’s public blast, every performance will be scrutinized more than ever.