Gary Neville offers theory on Casemiro half-time substitution after Manchester United star ‘lost his confidence’ against Liverpool

Gary Neville thinks Casemrio was not subbed off at half-time of Manchester United’s defeat to Liverpool because of the ‘two mistakes’ he made.

United were humiliated 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday against their arch-rivals, with the club now having lost two of their first three games of the season.

Luis Diaz scored twice in the first-half, with Casemiro largely at fault for both goals, before Mohammed Salah found the back of the net after the break.

Casemiro was much-maligned in the last campaign with the defensive midfielder looking a shadow of his former self and was jeered off at half-time by his own fans.

Casemiro, for a player of such experience, the amount of times he gives the ball away in dangerous areas,’ United legend Neville said on Sky Sports.

‘I would go as far as saying Casemiro has lost his confidence a bit. For someone who has won Champions Leagues galore – it can happen to you in games.’

The 32-year-old would not return after the break however, with Erik ten Hag boldly hauling him off and replacing him with 20-year-old Toby Collyer.

‘That does feel like a big moment for Erik ten Hag,’ Neville added.

‘I don’t know how that conversation has gone at half time in front of all his team-mates, subbing somebody who has been world-class and a top achiever.

‘I had a moment myself against West Brom where I knew my time was up at United. I don’t think Casemiro’s at that point but it does feel like that type of moment.’

But Neville wasn’t totally convinced that the errors leading to the goals were solely behind Ten Hag’s bold substitution, theorising: ‘I know it sounds crazy, but I don’t think he would have brought him off for the two mistakes.

‘I think it’ll have been the two or three things after that, particularly the reaction of the crowd.

‘Managers don’t just bring off players for mistakes. Players make mistakes all the time.

‘I just feel that maybe there were a couple of passes that he made after that that demonstrated that he looked like he lost his confidence, his belief and the fans hounded him as well.

‘But it won’t be a pleasant place in that dressing room for him. I feel for him.’

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